Alburnett Community School District, Grant Wood Area Education Agency, and Kirkwood Community College recently marked a milestone with student Riggs Martin’s completion of a welding apprenticeship through the High School Registered Apprenticeship Program – a first for the school district.
“These apprenticeship opportunities are more than an educational experience; they’re about laying the foundation for thriving, skilled careers,” said Molly Crock, a future ready consultant with Grant Wood AEA. “This collaborative model showcases how schools, colleges, businesses, and the community can empower students and directly contribute to our local workforce.”
The apprenticeship was backed by Kirkwood Community College for specialized training and supported by partners such as IFP Motion Solutions, a release stated, adding that Mr. Martin’s father’s encouragement also played a significant role in his commitment to the program.
This “earn-and-learn” model, which combines education with workforce needs and provides hands-on experience as well as a paycheck, underscores a community approach to preparing students for in-demand careers and highlights local efforts to address workforce shortages through innovative educational pathways, the release said.
Other program details:
Current Health Career Apprentice Numbers:
- 24 Current CNA Apprentices
- 7 Current Business Partners
- 10 School Districts
- 39 Current Interested Students
Current Welding Numbers:
- 6 Current Welding Apprentices
- 3 Current Business Partners
- 5 School Districts
