U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Https

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Located in:

b. 2. Describe How the State Will Incorporate Registered Apprenticeship into Its Strategy and Services.

Current Narrative:

Late in 2015, Idaho was one of six states selected by the US Department of Labor to participate in an apprenticeship initiative providing customized technical assistance support from experienced apprenticeship coaches. The State’s apprenticeship development team, composed of workforce, apprenticeship, education, and other key partners, has been identified and will be taking full advantage of this opportunity in 2016 to support strategies to integrate apprenticeship as a sustainable solution under WIOA.

Initial strategies:

  • Launch a renewed apprenticeship effort concentrating on one high growth occupation/industry; provide a positive model for expansion
  • Pursue a local area focus first, then expand and strengthen to a statewide strategy
  • Lean on USDOL technical assistance and Office of Apprenticeship for guidance, innovation and successful strategies from other states
  • Integrate apprenticeships into Idaho’s career pathways and industry sector strategies

Since the original submission of the WIOA Combined State Plan in 2015, Idaho has made significant progress in the effort now called Apprenticeship Idaho. The Office of Registered Apprenticeship is a major partner in this effort. In addition to the Idaho Department of Labor, another major contributor is the Idaho Career & Technical Education which administers the Carl D. Perkins programs. Representatives from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare representing Temporary Assistance to Needy Families and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are also engaged in this effort to develop apprenticeships and create opportunities for their program participants. The Center for Refugees has actively participated in the effort to help New Americans use their existing skills to re-enter the workforce through apprenticeships.

The Apprenticeship Idaho effort has increased the use of registered apprenticeships by 47 percent in the state by leveraging resources, including US Department of Labor funded programs. They accomplished this by 1) establishing a coordinated team effort to be the points of contact for apprenticeship information and implementation; and 2) developing a concerted outreach effort to educate, convene and partner with business, education and other partners as needed to help fill workforce gaps.

Apprenticeship Idaho has made significant progress in the areas of Health Care, Advanced Manufacturing, Technology, Construction and many more industries. Some of the major initiatives are described below:

  • Certified Medical Assistants, Critical Care Nurse, and Certified Nursing Assistant Occuaptions: Employers are reviewing more non-degree seeking positions due to the success they have seen in using this model. We are also connecting employers to the high schools and setting up School to Registered apprenticeship programs in the health care area.
  • Advanced Manufacturing: Three companies, two school districts and one community college have setup a machine operator school to registered apprenticeship program to fill 13 positions this summer. Through the use of technology, cooperation in school schedules and willingness of employers we were able to make this opportunity available.
  • Water Treatment: The state water treatment board and a national water treatment organization have partnered to develop a statewide water treatment/ waste water treatment program. Every municipality, companies and other entities has an aging work force with no plan to replace. This will help fill the current and future gap.