This is the second session for ATRs in this training series.

Broad and robust partnerships give value to expanding registered apprenticeships that ultimately help meet program outcomes and increase engagement with employers. Building on the knowledge gained from the first Apprentice Training Representative (ATR) session, this training includes how to engage with Business Services Representatives (BSRs) to develop strategies for effective, collaborative outreach to industry in developing new and expanded registered apprenticeship (RA) programs; promising practices for engaging with BSRs and other Local Workforce Development Board staff; and what successful collaboration between ATRs and the workforce system can look like.

Link to Webinar

Link to PPT

In cooperation with the USDOL’s Office of Apprenticeship (OA) and its Division of Indian and Native American Programs (DINAP), the Center of Excellence hosted a webinar series featuring Safal Partners, a U.S. DOL funded Cyber and Tech Industry Intermediary and Registered Apprenticeship (RA) program sponsors in Washington State. Presenters gave details about their RA programs and application process to professionals representing Native American jobseekers, Tribal college career centers, one-stops, and other workforce offices to show how to connect their workforce program participants and students to federally RA opportunities in the State of Washington.

Each webinar session consists of three different apprenticeship programs sharing their program’s occupations, application dates, application process, expectations, wages, cost, benefits, work/school location(s), and other pertinent details and includes a short Q&A period. This recruiting opportunity is designed to benefit Native American jobseekers and to bridge partnerships between RA programs and tribal organizations.

Link to Session 1

Link to Session 1 PPT

Link to Session 2

Link to Session 2 PPT

Link to Session 3

Link to Session 3 PPT

This second Business Services Representatives’ (BSRs) training session features how registered apprenticeship (RA) bolsters the success of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) business services, the RA System and the role of Apprenticeship Training Representatives (ATRs), and how to coordinate and collaborate with ATRs and Navigators.

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

By connecting intentionally and regularly with ATRs, WIOA business services can better engage employers, place candidates in well-paying RA employment, and increase positive WIOA performance metrics.

Link to Webinar

Link to PPT

Link to Handout

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.
 

Link to Webinar

Link to PPT

The Key Components of Workforce Systems Alignment with Registered Apprenticeship is a tool designed for local workforce boards to gauge and enhance their alignment with registered apprenticeship efforts. The tool identifies five key components to registered apprenticeship alignment including creating RA-aligned policies, embedding RA SMEs, equipping BSRs, serving as an RA convener and becoming an RA sponsor. For each component, workforce boards can learn about the indicators (what it looks like), outcomes (what it can produce), and actionable items (next steps to consider) to enhance their alignment with the registered apprenticeship system. The tool also encompasses a comprehensive list of resources for technical assistance.

Link to Tool

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

Link to Business Services Representatives Workshop

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.

Link to PPT

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.

Link to PPT

On behalf of the Center, Safal Partners worked to identify apprenticeship networks throughout the country to understand who they are, what services they provide, and what their membership consists of. Safal Partners team members interviewed 11 apprenticeship networks throughout the country and developed key steps to forming an apprenticeship network through two Technical Assistance Guides.

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.

Link to Webinar

Link To PPT

The Center of Excellence presented at the National Association of Workforce Boards 2024 Forum on the Investing in America Agenda (IIA). The IIA represents a historic commitment to workforce development with hundreds of billions of dollars earmarked for infrastructure, semiconductor, and renewable energy sector development. This session discussed core Registered Apprenticeship-related elements of the IIA and promising practices for partnership development to access and implement IIA funding.

Link to PPT

Center of Excellence Subject Matter Experts presented at the NYEC 2024 Annual Forum about how 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.

How will these jobs be filled? What opportunities exist to utilize Registered and Youth Apprenticeship programs to train workers and assist Opportunity Youth? What specific funds from the Investing in America Agenda can be utilized to support apprenticeship and Opportunity Youth?

This substantial investment will necessitate the training of millions of new workers in innovative industries to fill these roles. This presentation goes over core elements of the Investing in America Agenda, what opportunities exist related to how states can utilize funding opportunities to support RA and how organizations can collaborate to support the implementation of the Agenda while also supporting Opportunity Youth.

Link to PPT

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.

Link to PPT

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.

Link to Webinar

Link to PPT

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.

Link to PPT