The Pella Community School District is continuing work to sustain one of the state’s most extensive apprenticeship programs.
Director of K-12 Education Lowell Ernst says the Career Academy of Pella is home to one of the first earn-and-learn programs in Iowa, and their partnership with the WorkSMART Connector, area colleges, local businesses and industries, and neighboring school districts has several students participating in work-based learning initiatives.
This past spring, 30 area high school students signed to participate in the apprenticeship program offered locally and that work is continuing during this academic year. Since 2018, 94 students have participated in the program.