Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds awarded more than $1.25 million in state grants to fund the creation and development of new work-based learning programs for Iowa high school students on June 29.
The Statewide Intermediary Work-Based Learning Grants will fund programs that give students one-on-one contact with potential employers and help them make informed decisions about postsecondary education and careers.
Grants to the announced awardees will support more than 450 technical assistance meetings between schools and employers across the state with the goal of creating a minimum of 50 new internship programs and 47 new registered apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship programs.
The announced $1.25 million includes awards to recipients in 13 Iowa community college regions. In two community college regions (Hawkeye and Southwestern), no organization sought the funding. Grant applications now will reopen in those two areas until July 13 to encourage entities in those regions to apply.
Two eastern Iowa organization receive awards
The Eastern Iowa Community College, located at 101 W Third St. in Davenport, received $96,666 to build middle and high school programs to introduce students to careers and help them make decisions about future coursework.
The Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa in Cedar Rapids also received $96,666 to “comprehensively meet the needs of the local workforce by bringing relevancy into the classroom through authentic business relationships.”
The funding will bridge the gap between district needs and community support with real-world application to in-school education.
Work-based learning programs needed
Work-based learning programs have long been a priority for the state of Iowa because they help high school students become more engaged in career decision making. According to Iowa’s Area Education Agencies, the number of students exiting high school without a post-secondary plan continues to grow every year while the number of students who enroll in a post-secondary training program is declining.
Money was awarded based on geographic community college regions, but the application process was open to community colleges, Iowa educational organizations, nonprofit organizations, and local workforce development boards, as well as any other organization with the capacity to provide students sustained interactions with industry or community professionals in a real worksite environment.
Director of Iowa Workforce Development Beth Townsend praised the new ideas and new opportunities that increased competition will provide.
“Iowa needs more workers, so we need to do everything possible to show Iowa young people that they can find strong, rewarding careers without having to leave their home state,” Ms. Townsend said in a statement. “We welcome any program that can help students engage with the work world, explore their options, and make smart decisions about their futures.”
