Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth Activities

For eligible participants, local Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult and Dislocated Worker funds may be used for not only Registered Apprenticeships, but pre-apprenticeship training, such as remediation and/or basic job skills training, to prepare an individual for a Registered Apprenticeship program. 

Registered Apprenticeships can be funded through several mechanisms.  Given the unique nature of Registered Apprenticeships, there are several ways in which training services will be used in conjunction with these programs: 

• Registered Apprenticeships generally involve both classroom and on-the-job instruction.  An On-the-Job Training (OJT) contract may be developed with a Registered Apprenticeship program for training participants.  The OJT contracts are made with the employer.  The OJT contract may be made to support some or all of the OJT portion of the Registered Apprenticeship program,

• A combination of an Individual Training Account (ITA) to cover classroom instruction along with an OJT contract to cover some or all of the work-based training portion of the Registered Apprenticeship is allowed, and

• Incumbent worker training may be used for upskilling apprentices who already have an established working/training relationship with the Registered Apprenticeship program.
   

Local areas may also include support services, in coordination with career and/or training services to participants in a Registered Apprenticeship program.  The supportive services must be consistent with the WIOA Section 134(d)(2) and state and local policies. 

Registered Apprenticeship programs will remain on the Michigan Training Connect (MiTC) as long as they remain registered and are not subject to the same performance reporting requirements as other training programs, thereby streamlining requirements and facilitating the design and delivery of work-based training opportunities. 

All Registered Apprenticeship programs are eligible for inclusion on the MiTC.  Under the WIOA Title I-B, Registered Apprenticeship program sponsors that request to be placed on the MiTC are automatically included and will remain on the MiTC for as long as the program is registered or until the program sponsor notifies the State that it no longer wants to be included on the MiTC.  In lieu of local area review, the State will be approving all Registered Apprenticeship programs, based on the WIOA’s automatic placement criteria. 

To ensure that local areas have the maximum flexibility in serving participants and supporting their placement into Registered Apprenticeship programs, OJT contracts may be written with Registered Apprenticeship programs or participating employers in Registered Apprenticeship programs for the OJT portion of the Registered Apprenticeship program, consistent with the requirements under 20 CFR 680.700.  Since Registered Apprenticeship programs vary in length, the OJT may support the entire duration of training while other means support the beginning of the Registered Apprenticeship training.  Depending on the length of the Registered Apprenticeship and the state and local OJT policies, these funds may cover some or all of the Registered Apprenticeship training.  There is no federal prohibition on using both Individual ITA and OJT funds when placing participants into a Registered Apprenticeship program.  The 20 CFR 680.330 provides further information on using ITAs to support participants in Registered Apprenticeship.

 Pre-Apprenticeship Training:  For workers who may not have the fundamental skills to succeed in a Registered Apprenticeship program and youth who are exploring career options, pre-apprenticeship training programs act as a bridge to prepare individuals with the skills and competencies they need to enter one or more Registered Apprenticeship programs.  These training programs can help apprenticeship candidates decide on an occupational track, develop foundational skills, and improve productivity once employed.  Pre-apprenticeship programs operate an approved plan under which candidates participate in a short, intensified training period in a school or training center, with the intent to place them into Registered Apprenticeships upon completion or soon after completion of the program. 

A quality pre-apprenticeship program is one that incorporates the following elements: 

• Training and curriculum that aligns with the skill needs of employers in the economy of the state or region involved. 
• Hands-on, meaningful learning activities that are connected to education and training activities, such as exploring career options, and understanding how the skills acquired through coursework can be applied toward a future career.   
• Access to educational and career counseling and other support services, directly or indirectly. 
• Opportunities to attain at least one industry-recognized credential.   
• A partnership with one or more Registered Apprenticeship programs that assists in placing individuals who complete the pre-apprenticeship program into a Registered Apprenticeship program. 
   
  Pre-apprenticeship programs are on the list of work experiences for youth under the WIOA.  Local youth programs must coordinate pre-apprenticeship programs to the maximum extent feasible with Registered Apprenticeship programs with the continued commitment to provide high-quality services for all youth.  Quality pre-apprenticeship programs play a valuable role in opportunities for classroom and skills training in in-demand industries and occupations, while culminating with a good job along a career pathway to contribute to the development of a diverse and skilled workforce.  Pre-apprenticeship training programs have successfully demonstrated that obstacles, such as low math skills, poor work habits, lack of access to transportation, and the lack of knowledge of sector opportunities can be overcome when coordinated training and support are provided.
   
  Both apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship training programs can be an important part of an industry and cluster development strategy, as well as an effective means of advancing growth and competitiveness for individual small and/or groups of related businesses.  In a demand-driven environment, the public workforce system at the federal, state, and local levels work collaboratively with business and industry, economic development, education, training providers, and other key partners on talent development strategies and workforce solutions to provide workers with the skills businesses need.  Registered Apprenticeship is a potential workforce solution that contributes to the development of industry-defined competencies and also serves as a proven industry-driven workforce education and preparation strategy for workers.