The purpose of this program is for local workforce investment areas (LWIAS), industry and employer groups, educational institutions, and community organizations designed to support the creation and…

The purpose of this program is for local workforce investment areas (LWIAS), industry and employer groups, educational institutions, and community organizations designed to support the creation and expansion of registered apprenticeship programs (RAPS) in non-traditional occupations and industries, with an emphasis on education, healthcare, and bioscience/biotechnology R & D and manufacturing. Activities performed launching and expanding RAP opportunities, including the development of pre-apprenticeship programs that lead to RAP enrollment; convening sector partnerships for industry engagement and support; developing universal promotion and outreach activities to communicate the value of RAP opportunities to employers and partnerships; engaging in partnership-building strategies for RAP scaffolding and expansion; emphasizing access for underrepresented and underserved populations via partnership with community organizations; leveraging public and private resources for blended/braided funding of training costs and wraparound services; utilizing a data-informed decision-making model for continuous improvement of programs and service delivery; ensuring policy and system alignment across the bistate region to ensure seamless enrollment in RAPS for employers and participants. Deliverables 850 intended beneficiary individuals with disabilities, including developmental disabilities; youth, with an emphasis on youth from underserved regions; rural residents; aging candidates who are historically underserved by apprenticeship opportunities; women in traditionally underrepresented RAPS; returning citizens from incarceration; individuals experiencing homelessness; candidates in industries severely impacted by covid. Subrecipient activities hiring of missouri RAP navigator; hiring of employer and community partnerships manager; recruitment of diverse RAP participants; development of new and expanded RAPS with employer sponsors; partnership with community organizations for equitable recruitment and retention of participants from underserved and underrepresented communities; participation in technical assistance and training.