Creating Partnerships for Complex Learning
Registered Apprenticeship plays an important role as a critical post-secondary education, training and employment option. Available in every state in the country, it trains more workers for high-skilled, high-wage careers than any other public workforce investment program in the nation, and at a fraction of the cost. Full collaboration between the publicly funded workforce investment system and Registered Apprenticeship leverages each system’s strengths to maximize the benefits in the context of regional talent development strategies. But it doesn't stop there. Registered Apprenticeship is helping to meet the needs of a variety of programs, projects and systems and relies on an extensive network of partners to make the State of Kansas strong.
Progress through Partnerships
Government Programs and Grants are partnering with Registered Apprenticeship to support productive Kansas outcomes.
The Department of Social and Rehabilitative Services (SRS) uses funding from the Federal Child Development Block Grant to provide professional development for Kansas early care and education providers through the Early Childhood Associate Apprenticeship Program (ECAAP). A skilled early childhood workforce is a leading indicator of high quality services.
The Department of Corrections is using Registered Apprenticeship to train 40 youth offenders for jobs as welders, carpenters, masons and electricians through a grant provided by the US Department of Labor. Participants start receiving the required Related Technical Instruction and are matched with a Registered Apprenticeship sponsor while still serving. The apprentice has a job and reports to work to complete the rest of the Registered Apprenticeship program with the sponsor immediately upon release. Immediate employment and livable wages are proven indicators of reduced recidivism rates.
The Department of Social and Rehabilitative Services (SRS) in conjunction with Kansas University Life Span Institute at Parsons provides funding for statewide access to the University of Minnesota’s College of Direct Support. This online curriculum is recognized as the required related instruction for the Ad Astra Direct Support Specialist Apprenticeship program. Apprentices with internet access can complete this modulated curriculum any time of day or night.
The Kansas Department of Commerce has been awarded a three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. The grant Demonstration Projects Targeting Dislocted Workers, details a plan, Registered Apprenticeship WORKS!, and funds the Related Technical Instruction portion of an approved Registered Apprenticehsip program.