Workforce Development

Authorized by the federal Carl D. Perkins Career Technical Education Act of 2006, the Perkins Program aims to improve career education programs, integrate academic and career-technical instruction, serve special populations, and meet gender equity needs.  Districts receive funding annually based on an allocation formula. The Office of Workforce Development executes a transparent annual process for allocating Perkins funds across the college’s 43 career education programs.

The California Community College Strong Workforce Program is an annual recurring investment of $200 million to spur career technical education (CTE) across the community college system.  The central purpose of the SWP is to achieve “more and better” CTE which results in increases in enrollments, completions, transfers, employment, or wages for students. Districts receive funding annually based on an allocation formula.  The Office of Workforce Development executes a transparent and competitive annual process for allocating Strong Workforce funds across the college’s 43 career education programs.

This initiative is intended to provide a catalyst in supporting a uniquely American Apprenticeship system that meets our country’s particular economic, industry and workforce needs. American Apprenticeships (also referred to as Registered Apprenticeships) are innovative work-based learning and post-secondary earn-and- learn models that meet national standards for registration with the U.S. Department of Labor (or federally recognized State Apprenticeship Agencies). Grants funded by this initiative will support dynamic and sustainable public-private partnerships that:
Support the expansion of quality and innovative American Apprenticeship programs into high growth occupation(s) and industry(s), particularly those for which employers are using H-1B visas to hire foreign workers, and the related activities necessary to support such programs
Create career pathways that encompass American Apprenticeship and align with other postsecondary educational offerings
Use strategies to significantly increase apprenticeship opportunities for job seekers and workers (particularly for women and other underrepresented populations in apprenticeship.

The Office of Workforce Development manages several state, federal, and private grants that support career education and workforce development.  The Workforce Development Office also assists in the development and/or submission of grant applications within the college.

California’s Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) was established in compliance with the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and amended by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014 to provide customer-focused employment training resources for adults and dislocated workers.  Eligible individuals receive help with paying for educational retraining or skill enhancement, or both, at eligible providers listed on the ETPL.

ARC offers a wide range of ETPL-approved educational programs, including classroom, online, and apprenticeship programs, and the Office of Workforce Development serves as the Point of Contact for the college.

A California community college may contract with a public or private entity, corporation, association, person or body, for the purposes of providing instruction, services, or both, by the college.  Contract education allows colleges to deliver training and education tailored to the specific needs of employers/contracting entities. The Office of Workforce Development oversees contract education within ARC and works closely with the Los Rios District to address the workforce development needs of employers in the region.