Part 1
Technical education in California offers a sequence of programs which combine basic academic knowledge and professional knowledge to enable students get careers after secondary education. The department that is responsible for this program is the career technical Education department. The state education board uses the funds derived from the Perkins act to fund the courses. Perkins funds are available upon application and after satisfying the department of education that the programs are in line with the motives of the fund.
The board uses the funds to finance various activities in the state;
Agriculture
The board uses Perkins funds to educate the students on proper agriculture practices. Students who have not had a chance to undergo higher education are given a chance to sharpen their skills on conducting successful agricultural activities.
Apprenticeship
The department of career technical education mobilizes funds to supplement local education institution that offered RSI (related and supplementary instruction). The funds are used to purchase training equipment and also paying special instructors.
California career resource network
This is a state network that is aimed at providing guidance on making wise career decisions. The state education board utilizes the funds to hold seminars and workshops that are aimed at aiding the students make wise decisions as far as career choices are concerned. This was established to avert situations where students get stranded on the course to take thus leading to courses that are not relevant or not favorable to the state and the individual.
General information
The board also organizes forums where general information is disseminated to the public schools and the general public. The department has developed a technical list where people can get information about technical courses and career improvement courses. This is done at a cost that is funded by the Perkin fund. In addition, the department also organizes adult classes that are supposed to inform them of the current trends.
Gender balancing
Perkins fund is used in gender balancing. The fund is used to promote equity between the two genders. The funds integrate women and men in promoting equality through fair representation and funding. Women are trained on courses that are relevant to them in order to compete with their male counterparts in the job market.
Special population
Perkins act was devised to offer special services to special groups. The special groups include the physically challenged and the minority who are disadvantaged. This is because the groups might not have the ability to access basic education services. The state government has taken this step as an indicator of social balancing in the community.
Part 2
My state of interest will be California. The name of the state employment and training agency used is known as California’s Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL).
How WIA monies are administered
The Work force Investment Act funds are administered in a number of ways. In the state of California, the governor decided to appoint a State Workforce Investment Board (WIB) made up of representatives from various fields including; education institutions, labor organization, community organization and businesses representatives. The WIB is charged with the responsibility of giving assistance to the governor in the process of designing a statewide plan that leads to the program policies that are appropriate.
The factors that are considered when the WIA funds are administered include: the population of a place, its geographic location and the nature of the labor markets available. The WIB ensures that it develops a local area plan and forwards it to the California governor for implementation. The activities that are mostly put into consideration include education and job training.
The California federal government uses a formula in allocation and administration of funds. The level of poverty and unemployment rates are the ones that determines the amount of funds that will be allocated for a certain objectives. A lot of funds are given to the regions that have high poverty levels in this state. The California Department of Job and Family Services is the one that administers the funding. The One Stop Centers are about 35 and they have 62 satellites which are supervised by WIB.
Types of activities are supported
The programs and services under the Work force Investment Act aims at increasing employment, the earnings of adults, retention and payment of workers. The WIA programs ensures that they increases the readiness of workers in the job market, the attainment of education and occupational skills, and connects the workers in the job industries that will shape them to suit in the field.
The activities that are supported are categorized into three subsections: core services, intensive services and training services.
Core services
The activities in this category include searching of jobs and also placement assistance. Other activities in this section include helping the labor force to access the market information as Work force Investment Act well as the expected careers with high demands.
Intensive services
The WIA has the following activities in the intensive services; giving advice and career planning, developing people employment plans and nurturing comprehensive skills in assessments.
Training services
People are trained in both the basic skills and full occupational training that may assist them in the job market. The individuals who take part in the WIA training are awarded jobs in their communities. The individuals who want to be trained will access the training by the help of the Individual Training Account. Other activities under this include transport, child care and giving uniforms to the employed individuals.
References
Career Technical Education - Curriculum & Instruction (CA Dept of Education). (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/ct/
