The Pella Community School District was among ten schools and organizations selected by Iowa Workforce Development to receive funding to grow Registered Apprenticeship Programs.
The Career Academy of Pella was one of two schools chosen to receive $15,000 each for its registered apprenticeship, the other was West Delaware. Iowa Workforce Development was recently awarded a $1 million ApprenticeshipUSA State Expansion Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to strengthen and grow registered apprenticeship opportunities in Iowa.
Iowa Workforce is inviting additional organizations to submit funding requests for these five areas: Quality Pre-Apprenticeship; High School Registered Apprenticeship; Healthcare Sector Registered Apprenticeship; Advanced Manufacturing Sector Registered Apprenticeship; and Pilot Quality Pre-Apprenticeship Program. The submission deadline is 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 26.
The guidelines for submitting a proposal is available online for the following programs (from Iowa Workforce Development):
Quality Pre-Apprenticeship Programs: Recognized Quality Pre-Apprenticeship Programs may apply for a $10,000 award to focus on career pathways to create or provide on-going support of a Quality Pre-Apprenticeship program. The funds can be used for creation of curriculum, supportive services, participant support costs, outreach, and staff costs for developing and operating the program. Each Quality Pre-Apprenticeship program must have at least one Quality Pre-Apprentice or 10 percent of Quality Pre-Apprentices, whichever amount is greater, hired by a Registered Apprenticeship program by Oct. 31, 2020. Total funding available is $70,000.
High School Registered Apprenticeship Programs: High School Registered Apprenticeship Programs may apply for a $15,000 award. This award may be used to start or to support a current High School Registered Apprenticeship Program. The funds can be used for Related Training Instruction, supportive services and a Registered Apprenticeship coordinator. Total funding available is $115,000.
Healthcare Sector Registered Apprenticeship Program: This funding is to be used to grow Registered Apprentices in the healthcare sector. This grant will be awarded to one or two respondents. Respondents may apply for a full award of $150,000 to grow at least 200 Registered Apprentices and will receive extra points for submitting a full award. Respondents may apply for a partial award of $75,000 to grow at least 100 Registered Apprentices. The funds can be used for Related Training Instruction, supportive services, stipends to apprentices or sponsors to incentivize retention, a Registered Apprenticeship coordinator and travel. Total funding available is $150,000.
Advanced Manufacturing Registered Sector Apprenticeship Program: This funding is to be used to grow Registered Apprentices in the advanced manufacturing sector. This grant will be awarded to one or two respondents. Respondents may apply for a full award of $150,000 to grow at least 200 Registered Apprentices and will receive extra points for submitting a full award. Respondents may apply for a partial award of $75,000 to grow at least 100 Registered Apprentices. The funds can be used for Related Training Instruction, supportive services, stipends to apprentices or sponsors to incentivize retention, a Registered Apprenticeship coordinator and travel. Total funding available is $150,000.
Pilot Quality Pre-Apprenticeship Program: This funding will be used to provide a pipeline of pre-apprentices to Registered Apprenticeship Programs with a focus on underrepresented populations. The funds can be used for creation of curriculum, supportive services, participant support costs, outreach, and staff costs for developing and operating the program. This grant will be awarded to one or two respondents. Respondents may apply for a full award of $125,000 to grow at least 200 Registered Apprentices and will receive extra points for submitting a full award. Respondents may apply for a partial award of $62,500 to grow at least 100 Registered Apprentices. Total funding available is $125,000. 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.
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.