Stop Leaving Money on the Table: A Guide to Braiding Perkins V and WIOA Funding
Most districts are already much closer to launching apprenticeship-aligned pathways than they realize. All of the guidance in this article comes directly from our Apprenticeship Masterclass Playbook, a practical, easy-to-read, and deeply detailed guide designed to help schools launch apprenticeship-aligned pathways directly from existing CTE programs. The Masterclass was built for educators and leaders who want a clear, actionable approach—not theory, not guesswork.
Many CTE programs already offer work-based learning, industry credentials, and mentor-supported instruction—core elements of a Registered Apprenticeship. What’s often missing is not new curriculum or new partners, but simply the ability to connect existing funding streams that already support this work.
Braiding Perkins V and WIOA funds allows schools to strengthen both the classroom side and the workplace side of a pathway. Instead of operating in silos, these funds can work together to create sustainable, scalable options for students.
1. Understanding the Two Buckets: Perkins V and WIOA
Perkins V supports the instructional foundation of CTE programs—curriculum, equipment, teacher training, and RTI‑aligned coursework. These funds typically flow to school districts and state education agencies and must align with state‑approved career pathways.
WIOA, on the other hand, focuses on the employment‑driven side of training: work‑based learning, mentorship, wraparound supports, stipends, and job placement. These funds are accessed through workforce boards, intermediaries, and community organizations and are intentionally flexible so they can respond to labor market needs.
Together, these two streams form the instructional + workplace structure that apprenticeship pathways require.
2. Why These Funds Should Be Braided, Not Separated
Both CTE and workforce systems often run on parallel tracks—even though their goals overlap. Perkins V emphasizes programs of study and pathway alignment, while WIOA emphasizes employment outcomes and credential attainment.
When braided, the strengths of each system reinforce the other. Perkins V can fund RTI, dual enrollment, and credential‑aligned courses. WIOA can support paid work‑based learning, mentorship structures, and student supports like transportation.
This coordinated approach doesn’t require new programs—it simply unlocks new resources for the ones that already exist.
3. A Practical Approach to Braiding Perkins V & WIOA
The Masterclass Playbook outlines a clear starting point: evaluate what your CTE program already has. Many programs already offer RTI‑style coursework, mentorship, certifications, or employer partnerships—all of which align with apprenticeship components.
A practical strategy for braiding funds includes:
- Mapping your existing CTE courses to apprenticeship competencies using an Appendix A crosswalk model.
- Using workforce dollars to support the OJL or work‑based learning aspect of your program.
- Partnering early with your local workforce board, since WIOA funds often support wages, stipends, or supportive services.
Because high‑quality CTE already mirrors many apprenticeship requirements, this alignment makes it easier to justify spending both Perkins and WIOA funds on complementary pieces of the same pathway.
4. Reflection: How Close Are You Already?
Apprenticeship is not a separate track—it’s an extension of strong CTE. Programs that already offer industry credentials, internships, or employer engagement are already positioned to link with a Registered Apprenticeship sponsor.
Reflection questions in the Playbook encourage districts to consider:
- Do students earn industry‑recognized credentials?
- Do you have employer partners involved in instruction or mentoring?
- Do you already offer WBL or clinical experiences?
If the answer is yes, your site is already doing much of what apprenticeship requires—making you well‑situated to braid education and workforce dollars.
If you had any trouble understanding apprenticeship, check out our blog that gives 17 workforce terms glossaries to make it easy to understand.
Conclusion
Perkins V and WIOA aren’t meant to operate separately. They are two halves of a complete pathway: one strengthening classroom learning, the other strengthening workplace experience. By aligning what your program already does with the components outlined in the Masterclass, districts can build high-value, sustainable apprenticeship-aligned pathways without starting from scratch.
This entire approach comes directly from our Apprenticeship Masterclass Playbook—a practical, detailed, and easy-to-follow guide that helps schools launch apprenticeship pathways from the CTE work they already have in place. The Masterclass provides authority, clarity, and step-by-step tools that make implementation far more achievable than most districts expect.
Want deeper examples and planning tools? Read the Masterclass PDF.
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