The California Workforce Association Meeting of the Minds national workforce development conference focused on training, growth, and America’s economic future. This conference is where national and local leaders, workforce boards, policymakers, and business partners come together for a convening dedicated to advancing workforce development as a key driver of economic progress.

The Center of Excellence presented the workshop, Key Components of Workforce System Alignment with Registered Apprenticeship,​ showcasing a new tool aimed at supporting local Workforce Development Boards (WDBs) in aligning their workforce systems with the Registered Apprenticeship (RA) system.  This workshop aimed to delve deeper into two essential components, creating an RA-aligned policy framework and equipping Business Services Representatives to proactively integrate RA as a business solution in their outreach to the business community. 

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Center partner, NAWDP, and host sponsor, Maryland Workforce Association, offered a Business Services Academy designed to equip Business Services Representatives with the tools, knowledge, and expertise needed to excel in the ever-evolving landscape of business services. 

Center staff presented the workshop, Registered Apprenticeship: An Employer Pipeline Solution and Why You Should be Selling It offering technical assistance to participants helping them to understand how creating Registered Apprenticeship programs not only meets employer's needs but also meets Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) performance needs as well.

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This Center of Excellence webinar provided assistance for Case Managers and front-line staff to hear the benefits and opportunities of co-enrolling Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) career seekers with Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs.

Discover the myriad of benefits RA offers your region and the apprentices, understand the essentials of co-enrolling participants in RA and WIOA, and learn about how to leverage WIOA funding to support Registered Apprenticeships for sustainable workforce development.

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The Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) serves more than 9,000 leaders from 1,300 chambers of commerce, including 93 of the top 100 metro areas in the U.S. The Center of Excellence presented at the ACCE's 2024 conference about leveraging Chambers of Commerce in Registered Apprenticeship alignment efforts. Participants explored the five core components of Registered Apprenticeship and gained insights into the current role of Chambers of Commerce in these programs. The session showcased best practices for Chamber involvement, featuring a presentation from the Greater Cleveland Partnership. Attendees also learned how their Chambers can engage more effectively to benefit local jobseekers, employers, and the Chambers themselves.

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This second Business Services Representatives’ (BSRs) training session featured 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 explored innovative ways that apprenticeship ties in with WIOA business services. It also equipped participants 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.

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The California Workforce Association's WORKCON Conference 2024: Bridging the Gap, brought together the brightest minds and most influential leaders in the industry to share their insights and expertise. The Center presented, A New Tool to Use: Aligning Your Workforce System with Registered Apprenticeship​, providing an overview of the five core competencies of Registered Apprenticeship (RA), local and state boards in increasing RA, and next steps to serve jobseekers and employers.

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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.

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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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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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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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