Gov. Kim Reynolds awarded 35 projects with $2.26 million in state grants to launch youth internships across Iowa this summer.
Six businesses with ties to the Corridor — Metro Pavers Inc. and Autism Speaks in Iowa City; Koch Landscaping and Hauling in Solon; and All Clear Inc., Iowa Jag, Interstate Power and Light Company and The New Bohemian Innovation Collaborative in Cedar Rapids — will receive funding to place youth at risk of not graduating high school in internships. The internship site locations were chosen for students to build key skills in high-demand fields.
“I applaud this year’s grant awardees and the critical steps they will take to create new, invaluable opportunities for our youth and enhance long-term workforce pipelines with skilled workers across the state,” said Ms. Reynolds in a statement. “The more we can invest in work-based learning opportunities for our youth, the greater the health of Iowa’s workforce will be in the future.”
All Clear will recruit four to six students to teach them about the construction industry in residential and commercial projects. They will be trained in window cleaning, power washing, and site cleaning. Koch Landscaping and Hauling’s internships will also teach students about the construction industry.
Through the Iowa Summer Emersion Internship, Autism Speaks will hire eight students with autism and neuro-diversities, as well as members of underrepresented communities. The internship will prioritize mentoring of participants as they work to implement the Workplace Inclusion Now program.
Interstate Power and Light Company can use the award to fund 12 participants through the Alliant Energy online high school program to identify early talent and development.
Iowa Jag will partner with at least five employers to provide more than 15 students a summer internship.
The Earn While You Learn internship by Metro Pavers gives chances to at-risk, low income and underrepresented youth through teaching them soft skills and financial literacy.
Partnering with the Workplace Learning Connection and Cedar Rapids School District, NewBoCo’s Delta V code school will give 12 underserved high school students tuition support for a 5-week program. The program will give them hands-on skills to become health desk analysts and successful completion of the program will mean they earn a credential.
