The Long Awaited Laborshed is Kicking Off

DES MOINES – Organizations are invited to submit proposals to Iowa Workforce Development to receive funding to grow Registered Apprenticeship opportunities in Iowa. 
 
Iowa Workforce Development was recently awarded an additional $1 million ApprenticeshipUSA State Expansion Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to strengthen and grow Registered Apprenticeship opportunities in Iowa. The grant is focused on expanding opportunities in healthcare and advanced manufacturing, the fastest growing and largest employment sectors in the state, as well as increasing the participation of women, youth, minorities, veterans and people with disabilities. 
 
Organizations may apply for funding in five areas: Quality Pre-Apprenticeship; High School Registered Apprenticeship; Healthcare Sector Registered Apprenticeship; Advanced Manufacturing Sector Registered Apprenticeship; and Pilot Quality Pre-Apprenticeship Program.
 
Gov. Kim Reynolds encourages organizations to apply for the funding to further grow Iowa's Registered Apprenticeship footprint.
 
"Increasing the number of Registered Apprenticeship Programs and Registered Apprentices will help us close Iowa’s skills gap and help Iowans pursue rewarding careers and good-paying jobs," Gov. Reynolds said. "Healthcare and manufacturing are critical to Iowa's economy, and it is vital we have the skilled workers for these jobs. Registered Apprenticeship growth is an important strategy to help our state reach its Future Ready Iowa goal of having 70 percent of its workforce with education or training beyond high school by 2025."
 
The funding proposals are due to Iowa Workforce Development by 1 p.m. on Friday, July 27. The full Request for Proposal (RFP) and  the guidelines for submitting a proposal is available online for the following programs:
 

• Quality Pre-Apprenticeship Programs
• High School Registered Apprenticeship Programs
• Healthcare Sector Registered Apprenticeship Program 
• Advanced Manufacturing Registered Sector Apprenticeship Program
• Pilot Quality Pre-Apprenticeship Program

 
Iowa Workforce Development received an initial $1.8 million ApprenticeshipUSA State Expansion Grant received from the U.S. Department of Labor in November of 2016. The additional $1 million in funding ends on Oct. 31, 2020.
 
Beth Townsend, Director of Iowa Workforce Development, said the additional funding can serve as a springboard for organizations to start a new program or support an existing program.
 
"More and more employers from diverse industries are finding a Registered Apprenticeship allows them to recruit, train and retain workers to build a workforce that meets their needs," Director Townsend said. "We are excited to receive this additional funding that we can share with organizations who are committed to growing Registered Apprenticeship opportunities, helping us to meet the Future Ready Iowa goal."
 
Registered Apprenticeship Programs help recruit, train a skilled workforce and retain talent. There are currently more than 1,000 apprenticeable occupations in industries that include energy, information technology, healthcare, financial services, transportation, advanced manufacturing, food and beverage preparation, and the building trades. 
 
Iowa employers and job seekers can explore Registered Apprenticeship opportunities at earnandlearniowa.gov. The website helps employers understand how a Registered Apprenticeship Program works, the value it brings to their business, the resources available to help them set up a program and has a form to complete to receive more information.
 
Job seekers who are interested in exploring Registered Apprenticeship opportunities are encouraged to visit the website and fill out an online form to connect them to a local IowaWORKS Center. In addition IowaWORKS Center staff can help with resume preparation, cover letter assistance and mock interviews.