This month’s newsletter is packed with some exciting news—the launch of a new WorkforceGPS feature, an upcoming WIOA youth technical assistance (TA) event series, and some promising practices concerning apprenticeship.

WorkforceGPS Is Taking Your Relationship to the Next Level; Chat (Beta Version) Now Available!

We know you’ve been in love with WorkforceGPS for a while now, and things are getting pretty serious. That’s why we’re taking things to the next level and introducing you to Chat.

What is it?

WorkforceGPS Chat (Beta Version) is our new peer-to-peer connection feature, allowing instantaneous communication (emojis included) between WorkforceGPS members who are online .

Things to Know:

• WorkforceGPS members can now see who’s online and available for chat in the Member Directory.
• Chat allows instantaneous communication across all devices for up to 5 people.
• Communities of Practice and Collections can organize live scheduled chats (think instant messaging meets discussion boards) for up to 100 members.

How does it work?

• You need to be a registered member of WorkforceGPS with a public profile, which opts you into the Member Directory.
• Log in to the Member Directory to see who is currently online.
• Our new tutorial has the rest covered.

If you experience any trouble using the new feature, please take advantage of our Help page.

We encourage you to check out our new feature and continue connecting to your peers as you navigate to success!

Youth Services Team to Hold WIOA TA Series

Next week, on October 24th and 25th, the Youth Services Team within the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) will host a series of webinars entitled, "Our Journey Together: The WIOA Youth Program Technical Assistance (TA) Series." These four events will support the workforce system in their programming efforts to improve outcomes for youth. You can access more information about the series and sign up to attend the kick-off here, as well as find links to register for the other three events. Please make sure to register for all four events!

New Resource: Promising Practices in Expanding Apprenticeship

The WorkforceGPS Team knows that workforce, education, business, and other partners are looking to apprenticeship as a proven talent development strategy that allows workers to earn while they learn and companies to grow a pipeline of skilled workers. In 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor provided grants to support 37 states in this work. States are using grant funds to deepen business engagement, build and diversify the pipeline of apprentices, and integrate apprenticeship into workforce development, economic development, and educational systems. Learn about innovations in each of these areas in these just released apprenticeship promising practices.  

Stay talkative!