A Pella High School student about to enter his senior year is taking part in an expanding program connecting businesses with apprentices. Silas Vanderhoff is one of 13 signees from area high schools who are participating in the Career Academy of Pella work-based educational program through Future Ready Iowa. Vanderhoff will work as a welder while earning educational certifications and credits at Vermeer Corporation, an educational experience he will be paid to participate in as an hourly employee. Vanderhoff looks forward to the next year, expanding his skills while learning and preparing to enter the workforce immediately after high school if he chooses, or to jump into advanced education with credits and potential degrees.

The following are in the 2020-21 program:

Welding Apprenticeship
Brendan Van Gorp – Co-Line Manufacturing
Matthew Lunsford – LDJ Manufacturing
Jayden Jansen – Vermeer Corporation
Silas Vanderhoff – Vermeer Corporation
Colton Downing – Weiler Inc.
Landen Van Heukelom – Weiler Inc.

Engineering Assistant Apprenticeship
Noah Seelye – Pella Corp.

IT Certification, ICE Technologies and Vermeer
Grant Alsum
Elyse Kriegel
William Rasmussen
Vaughn Thompson