Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth Activities

WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker services are provided to improve the skills of Kansas workers and result in employment for participants. Through workforce centers and the well-established One-Stop system, local workforce investment boards and their partner agencies provide training which emphasizes the use of work-based learning, e.g. OJT, internships, customized training, etc. for eligible jobseekers and workers. It is required that training be designed for current skill/knowledge demands of the market and may often include traditional classroom training.

Models used by KANSASWORKS include on-the-job training during which a participant is employed by an employer, learns skills on the job and earns wages whole working. This popular strategy provides the participant an opportunity to make sure the job is a good fit, that the skills can be attained and that the learning process is supported by the workforce system, including case management and supportive services. The employer’s risk is mitigated by the investment made by the workforce system in reimbursing the employer a portion of the participant’s salary during the training period. This also allows the employer to assure the participant is a good fit and is able to learn the necessary skills. Paid internships provide much the same benefits to participants and employers, although the employer of record may be a Local Workforce Development Board, a postsecondary institution or an outside party. Other shorter-term work-based training such as boot camps and unpaid internships are most useful to the participant to assist with deciding their career path and with learning basic workplace skills (soft skills.)

High quality training for both the participant and the employer is assured through the requirements of the workforce system: each LWDB OJT or other work-based training program plan must include an individualized training plan that specifies the role of the participant, the employer and the case manager. The plan also details any supportive services the participant needs to successfully complete training. This support and engagement of a workforce professional reassures the participant as training progresses. Employers are also held accountable through the work-based training model because the workforce professional visits the work site, advocates for the participant, monitors the participant’s progress and requires the employer to document the skills achieved by the participant or any performance/soft skills issues displayed by the participant.

The KANSASWORKS State Board has established a Training Expenditure Monitoring Policy to ensure local workforce development boards to use a significant portion of their formula funds on training and direct services to participants. Further, the KANSASWORKS State Board has, in its Strategic Plan, encouraged local workforce development boards to use training resources to assist individuals with multiple barriers to employment. Finally, state policies regarding priority of services, coordinating resources for training and other services and partner collaboration will be modified to meet both the requirements and the focus of WIOA.