NEVADA, IOWA (November 5, 2019) — Today, Governor Kim Reynolds visited Van Wall Equipment in Nevada to highlight their new Farm Equipment Mechanic Registered Apprenticeship program and celebrate Registered Apprenticeship Appreciation and Awareness Week. Gov Reynolds also signed a proclamation, recognizing the value of Registered Apprenticeship training and promoting expansion of these opportunities within the state.

Iowans are encouraged to explore the benefits of Registered Apprenticeship during the week, which runs November 11-17. Special events across Iowa will highlight different types of programs, public-private partnerships, new facilities, and unique community-outreach efforts.

“In Iowa, we have jobs looking for people, and Registered Apprenticeships are a proven solution to expand economic opportunities for Iowans,” said Gov Reynolds. “These programs are a mechanism to recruit and train the skilled workers our employers so desperately need. Registered Apprenticeships also strengthen our communities, giving residents a sense of pride and personal investment in their city or town.”  

Van Wall Equipment launched its Registered Apprenticeship program with support from the Registered Apprenticeship Development Fund, or 15C, which was created by the 2018 Future Ready Iowa Act. The Fund is administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and provides up to $1 million in grants for small to midsize companies, like family-owned Van Wall, starting new Registered Apprenticeship Programs in high-demand occupations.

“Iowa companies like Van Wall  recognize that Registered Apprenticeships are a win-win,” Gov Reynolds continued. “The earn and learn model benefits both apprentices, who on average make more than $60,000 after completing their program, and employers, who are developing their future workforce.”

The 15C funding is in addition to $3 million in annual funding available through the Iowa Apprenticeship Act (15B), which also is administered by the IEDA. The 15B program helps defray ongoing Registered Apprenticeship training costs and in FY2019, provided support for programs serving more than 5,900 Iowa apprentices.

Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) also has partnered with the US Department of Labor (DOL) to leverage $3.1 million in ApprenticeshipUSA State Expansion Grants since 2016 to increase Registered Apprenticeship programs in Iowa. Organizations creating a new program or adding another occupation in certain industries can receive an incentive of $350 per Registered Apprentice or $500 per Registered Apprentice who qualifies as an underrepresented population (women, minorities, veteran, youth or people with disabilities).

As of October 30, 2019, Iowa had 747 active Registered Apprenticeship Programs and more than 7,600 Registered Apprentices. In just the past year, Iowa has registered 102 new programs, and is outpacing the number of active apprentices compared to states with more than three times the population. This momentum contributes to the Future Ready Iowa goal, which calls for 70 percent of Iowa’s workforce to have education or training beyond high school by 2025.

Information about Registered Apprenticeships in Iowa is available at www.earnandlearniowa.gov. The website serves the needs of both job-seekers and employers, who can fill out a form to be contacted to learn more.

The following are examples of more than 40 National Apprenticeship Week events going on around the state. Visit the National Apprenticeship Week website to find an event near you:

Re-Entry Job Fair with Apprenticeship Highlights

November 14, 9AM-12PM

The Mt Pleasant Correctional Facility and Burlington IowaWORKS are hosting a re-entry job fair where businesses can participate in demonstrations and hear about Registered Apprenticeships at the facility as well as post-secondary training credits offered by the local community college.

Registered Apprenticeship Recognition, NewBoCo

November 14, 1-2PM

New Bohemian Innovation Corporation (NewBoCo) offers an Application Developer Registered Apprenticeship program and Quality Pre-Apprenticeship program, which recently received an Employer Innovation Fund grant to provide scholarships to under-represented students.

Registered Apprenticeship Recognition & Tour, GMT Corporation,

November 14, 3:30-4:30PM

GMT Corporation received a 15C grant for its CNC Machinist Registered Apprenticeship program. GMT supports the Waverly-Shell Rock School District Quality Pre-Apprenticeship program, has received a State Expansion Grant and is planning to add a welding occupation.

Support the River Cities' Reader

Get 12 Reader issues mailed monthly for $48/year.

Old School Subscription for Your Support

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Old School Subscribe now.



Help Keep the Reader Alive and Free Since '93!

 

"We're the River Cities' Reader, and we've kept the Quad Cities' only independently owned newspaper alive and free since 1993.

So please help the Reader keep going with your one-time, monthly, or annual support. With your financial support the Reader can continue providing uncensored, non-scripted, and independent journalism alongside the Quad Cities' area's most comprehensive cultural coverage." - Todd McGreevy, Publisher