Foundational knowledge of how the workforce system operates is essential to Apprenticeship Training Representative (ATR) work. In this first session for ATRs, attendees learned how Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs) make decisions on policies and funding for employers, job seekers and how it relates to registered apprenticeships.

This session also demonstrates the Business Services Representative (BSR) role and the steps program sponsors and employers need to take to access Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and non-WIOA funding and support. ATRs are provided with detailed information and tools to help them move from understanding policy alignment to practical implementation with workforce system partners, especially BSRs.
 

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The Missouri Association for Workforce Development held a pre-conference hosted by the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development, Office of Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning on April 23-24. The Centers subject matter experts, Melissa Aguilar-Southard, Haylie Schuster, and Angela Baker delivered three presentations on understanding registered apprenticeship as a business services opportunity which can be accessed below.

Link to Apprenticeship 101

Link to Apprenticeship 201

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The National Association of Workforce Boards held The Forum in Washington, DC. about workforce policy, initiatives, and trends.

Registered Apprenticeship (RA) subject matter experts, Alan Dodkowitz from Safal Partners, Brent Weil from the Wireless Infrastructure Association, Jeff Smith from the U.S. DOL Office of Apprenticeship, and James Disbro from Career Source Suncoast, presented to workforce stakeholders discussing core RA-related elements of the Investing in America Agenda and promising practices for partnership development to access and implement Investing in America funding.

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The National Associations of Workforce Development Professionals’s 40th Annual Conference held enriching experiences filled with invaluable insights, cutting-edge strategies, and collaborative opportunities. This event brought together thought leaders, professionals and enthusiasts in the field, providing a unique platform to share knowledge, explore emerging trends, and celebrate our collective achievements.

Center Subject Matter Expert, Alan Dodkowitz, and Philadelphia Works' Director of Training and Apprenticeship, Rebecca Ambrose, presented "Creating and Sustaining Momentum Through Registered Apprenticeship Networks" providing information on strategies for expanding apprenticeship opportunities, survey findings on apprenticeship networks, lessons from the field and starting an apprenticeship network action plan.

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Center partner, the Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE), held their Annual Conference in Nashville, TN in 2024. Center subject matter experts, Katie Adams, Nicole Klues, and Dr, Amber Gallup, presented about expanding pre-apprenticeship opportunities for adult learners through employer engagement to grow their registered apprenticeship program. This interactive session explored tools and strategies for fostering strong partnerships between adult education programs and employers to enhance pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship opportunities for students.

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This training session is designed for Business Service Representatives (BSRs), Veterans’ Representatives, and other workforce professionals that engage directly with employers.

This webinar is the first session in a BSR Training Series featuring how Registered Apprenticeship is structured and works in concert with the workforce system, recent initiatives, funding opportunities, partners, and how to speak to employers about Registered Apprenticeship.

Registered Apprenticeship is an ideal solution for many employers that are partners with workforce boards and American Job Centers. This online training opportunity explores innovative ways that apprenticeship ties in with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) business services. It also equips you to connect with and leverage the support of the apprenticeship system on behalf of employers.

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Multi-State American Job Center Registered Apprenticeship (RA) Summit: 2 Global Services, an American Jobs Center contractor in Florida, Texas, and Nevada, held a RA Summit for their frontline staff and managers. As part of our collaboration with the CareerSource Florida Network, the Center was invited to deliver a virtual presentation on aligning WIOA with RA. Alan Dodkowitz, Subject Matter Expert, and Project Manager, Judy Blanchard, provided an overview of the Center and presented, Putting Your WIOA Plan for Apprenticeship to Work.

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The Investing in America Agenda represents a historic commitment to workforce development with hundreds of billions of dollars earmarked for our nation's infrastructure, semiconductor industry, and renewable energy sector over the coming years. This substantial investment will necessitate the training of millions of new workers in innovative industries to fill these roles.

This presentation, given at the Southeastern Employment and Training Association 2024 Conference, shows the core elements of the Investing in America Agenda, what opportunities exist related to how states can utilize funding opportunities to support registered apprenticeship and how organizations can collaborate to support the implementation of the Agenda while also supporting Opportunity Youth.

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The Center created a draft tool designed primarily to provide local workforce boards with a gauge of potential “levels” of workforce and apprenticeship system alignment. This session is a continuation of walking through the individual levels, with a focus on how local boards have taken next steps to further incorporate Registered Apprenticeship as a workforce solution for local jobseekers and employers.

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Properly implemented supportive services can ensure higher retention rates for apprentices in skilled, nontraditional occupations. However, most Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs don’t have a framework for working with state or federal grant programs or their local workforce development board (LWDB) to access Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and non-WIOA funded supportive services for their youth or adult apprentices. Learn how one CTE Center works with its LWDB and braids state and federal apprenticeship grant funding to provide critically-needed supportive services to apprentices.

As a Registered Apprenticeship program sponsor, the Special School District of St. Louis County’s Adult CTE Department has implemented a promising programmatic model and support service delivery practice for its multi-occupation adult apprenticeship programs, including Certified Nurse Assistant, Certified Medication Technician and Level One Medication Aide, as well as its “Healthcare S.T.A.R.S.” Pre-Apprenticeship program. These practices range from mentoring, case management, and linkages with community services partners to providing financial assistance with childcare, transportation, housing, and utility costs.

This presentation was given during the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) CareerTech Vision 2023 workshop.

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The U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Technical Assistance (RA TA) Center of Excellence on Strategic Partnerships and System Alignment created this draft tool and is seeking feedback. The tool is designed primarily to provide local workforce boards with a gauge of potential “levels” of workforce/apprenticeship system alignment, including indicators and next steps to further incorporate Registered Apprenticeship as a workforce solution for local jobseekers and employers.

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This Center of Excellence webinar, Gauging Registered Apprenticeship Alignment for Workforce Boards, focuses on how Workforce Boards can take steps to align and level up their Registered Apprenticeship activities. The Center created a draft tool designed primarily to provide local workforce boards with a gauge of potential “levels” of workforce and apprenticeship system alignment. This special session walks through the individual levels with a focus on how local boards have taken next steps to further incorporate registered apprenticeship as a workforce solution for local jobseekers and employers.

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Is your workforce board considering how to get started in adopting registered apprenticeship (RA) or supporting RA programs in your area? Have you taken a few first steps but wondering what a higher level of workforce/RA system alignment could look like? The Center has created a draft tool designed to help boards visualize "levels" of RA alignment and self-assess their current alignment status. This special interactive session shares the draft tool and walks through the proposed "levels" of alignment, including indicators and next steps.

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This webinar provides technical assistance for leaders in state apprenticeship efforts to hear promising practices on expanding apprenticeship found in the Center’s recent review of 2020 state plans. Part Three focuses on two key indicators: the inclusion of apprenticeship-specific strategies to meet state objectives and the establishment of apprenticeship-specific metrics to meet workforce needs. 

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This webinar is Part Two of the Demonstrated State Apprenticeship Leadership in 2020 Unified/Combined Plans webinar series: Co-locating Registered Apprenticeship Expertise in American Job Centers (AJCs).

This Center of Excellence webinar will provide technical assistance for leaders in state apprenticeship efforts to hear promising practices on expanding apprenticeship found in the Center’s recent review of 2020 state plans.

Part Two focuses on the establishment of the apprenticeship expertise in the AJCs. States that make this investment recognize that having apprenticeship expertise available to both businesses and job seekers directly through their services make a stronger investment toward the inclusion of apprenticeship as a strategy that is relevant to their skill pipeline efforts.

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