Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth Activities

Registered Apprenticeship is an employer-driven, “Earn while you Learn” model that combines on-the-job learning with related technical instruction that increases an apprentice’s skill level and wages, designed to move an apprentice from a low or no skill entry-level position to full occupational proficiency.  It’s an immediate job.  It is a flexible training system that can be customized to meet the needs of every business.  Upon completion of a Registered Apprenticeship program, participants receive an industry issued, nationally recognized credential that certifies occupational proficiency.  Kansas integrates Registered Apprenticeship (RA) with the Local WIOA Core partners’ staffing structures, Veterans Program staff, and continues to train AJC front line and business services staff in the rules, regulations and service delivery requirements of RA. Through bi-monthly meetings with Local WIOA Core Partner staff, local partners have developed an understanding of their role in RA, including their interface with employers and local economic development agencies which increases outreach efforts to the very entities needed to expand and enhance Registered Apprenticeship. Each Local Area has designated staff to serve as the RA Program Specialist to aid recruiting, registering and implementing RA programs via sub-grants between each Local Workforce Innovation Act Core Partners and Kansas Department of Commerce. Sponsors work with RA Program Specialist to design and execute apprenticeship programs providing jobs to apprentices, overseeing training development, providing hands-on learning and technical instruction for apprentices.  The related technical instruction may be provided through community or technical colleges, correspondence, online, distance learning, contract vendors and/or apprenticeship training centers.  Additionally, Kansas Department of Commerce is partners with Kansas Department of Education with the intention of building Youth Pre-Apprenticeship opportunities within the state.  Youth Pre-Apprenticeship is a work-based learning opportunity that will give students both academic and workplace skills that can lead to post-secondary education opportunities and careers.  Youth Pre-Apprentices will receive paid on-the-job training along with job-related technical instruction that also supports meeting high school graduations requirements.

Kansas Department of Commerce received $2,321,654.00 from the U.S. Department of Labor to administer the Apprenticeship USA State Expansion Grant, the grant period is November 1, 2016 thru October 31, 2020.  Kansas Department of Commerce granted funds to each Local Workforce Innovation Act Core Partners to support a .5 FTE Registered Apprenticeship Program Specialist to expand the recruitment, screening and enrollment of registered apprentices.  Additionally, RA Sponsors who enroll their apprentices in KANSASWORKS can be reimbursed a portion of the cost of the Related Technical Instruction for each apprentice enrolled through this project.

Kansas Department of Commerce received $932,211.65 from the U.S. Department of Labor to administer the Apprenticeship State Expansion Grant, the grant period is July 1, 2019 thru June 30, 2022.  Kansas Department of Commerce granted funds to three Local Workforce Innovation Act Core Partners to support three Registered Apprenticeship Program Specialist FTE’s to expand the recruitment, screening and enrollment of registered apprentices.  Additionally, RA Sponsors who enroll their apprentices in KANSASWORKS can be reimbursed a portion of the cost of the Related Technical Instruction for each apprentice enrolled through this project.