Iowa is among the top leaders in the nation for its apprenticeship programs, gathering about 9,600 apprentices in the past year. Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds held a press conference on Monday to reinforce the state’s initiative, and to also update the public on goals going forward.

“Employers get a pipeline of trained workers that meet their needs,” said Reynolds. “Apprenticeships are directly linked to the private sector demand and they prepare workers to handle the skills that can lead to significant increases in their lifetime earnings.

Reynolds also talked about support for apprenticeship programs across the state.

“Unions to business trade associations to higher education institutions support this,” said Reynolds. “And I’m really proud to say that five Iowa community colleges have already signed up to be a part of the Registered Apprenticeship Consortium.”

Reynolds said more community colleges will likely sign on to be part of the consortium in the future. She also introduced Jason Shanks, a leader of the apprenticeship program at the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 33. Shanks reinforced the message that apprenticeship programs serve not only the employer, but also students.

“They will get the same benefits I receive,” said Shanks. “Healthcare day one, go through the apprenticeship program, and they don’t have a huge student loan debt when they’re done, and they have a career.”

Shanks said recruiting students hasn’t been as much of a challenge lately, especially when he goes to local career fairs at high schools and colleges to meet with parents and students.

“Once you sit down and speak with their student, and let them know what kind of benefits and programs we have, chances are that’s a better living of what their parents have,” said Shanks. “Sometimes even the parents  ask me if it’s too late for them to sign up.”

Shanks said his program is constantly growing, and improving as well.

“Students have to attend a minimum of eight thousand hours of related instruction of on-the-job training,” said Shanks. “We have multiple certifications and qualifications, so it’s just a good program overall.”

The state legislature has allocated $3 million each year for apprenticeship programs, and that money, said Reynolds, has not been spent yet, but will continue to build up the initiative in years to come.