Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for Wagner-Peyser Program (Employment Services)
All Program-Specific Requirements provided for the WIOA core programs in this section must be addressed for either a Unified or Combined State Plan.
- e. Agricultural Outreach Plan (AOP). Each State agency must develop an AOP every four years as part of the Unified or Combined State Plan required under sections 102 or 103 of WIOA. The AOP must include an assessment of need. An assessment need describes the unique needs of farmworkers in the area based on past and projected agricultural and farmworker activity in the State. Such needs may include but are not limited to: employment, training, and housing.
- 5. Services provided to farmworkers and agricultural employers through the one-stop delivery system
Describe the State agency's proposed strategies for:
- 5. Services provided to farmworkers and agricultural employers through the one-stop delivery system
- e. Agricultural Outreach Plan (AOP). Each State agency must develop an AOP every four years as part of the Unified or Combined State Plan required under sections 102 or 103 of WIOA. The AOP must include an assessment of need. An assessment need describes the unique needs of farmworkers in the area based on past and projected agricultural and farmworker activity in the State. Such needs may include but are not limited to: employment, training, and housing.
e. 5. C. Marketing the Agricultural Recruitment System for U.S. Workers (ARS) to agricultural employers and how it intends to improve such publicity.
Current Narrative:
Michigan takes a very active role in promoting the Agricultural Recruitment System (ARS). A toll-free telephone line, 1-855-633-2373, is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This toll-free telephone line is designated as the point of contact for both employers and workers. Employers utilize the ARS to recruit workers, and workers utilize the ARS to apply for approved interstate clearance order jobs. To improve publicity, the Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers (MSFW) outreach workers distribute promotional materials to promote the ARS to agricultural employers. Michigan developed a brochure titled, “Agricultural Workers Needed in Michigan”, and a business size card titled “Agricultural Jobs in Michigan” in Spanish and English that promote ARS jobs. Michigan maintains an Agricultural webpage where job seekers can access all ARS jobs in the state. The webpage is available in English and Spanish and is also available in Mobile View. The State Monitor Advocate acts as the point of contact for calls received from workers in supply states, after a brief telephone interview, a caller’s contact information is provided to their respective state to follow the Applicant Holding Office/State procedures. Michigan produced several promotional brochures used to recruit in-state workers for ARS jobs.
The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity will make every effort possible to collaborate with MSFW outreach staff in labor supply and neighboring states to recruit domestic MSFW to work in the agricultural industry in Michigan. Recruitment techniques utilized by the outreach worker will include full utilization of the ARS. The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity will use all recruitment opportunities to ensure MSFWs traveling to Michigan for work are aware of all the educational, training, employment and supportive services available in Michigan. The state will conduct out-of-state promotional visits to ensure migrant workers traveling to Michigan have secure work and housing.