For Immediate Release: January 23, 2014
Contact: Kerry Koonce
Telephone: (515) 281-9646
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IWD Apprenticeship Report Shows Higher Wages
DES MOINES - The Iowa Registered Apprenticeship Employment and Wage Report issued today by Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) shows that job training via apprenticeships is yielding impressive results. IWD analysis shows that occupation by occupation, workers trained in apprenticeship programs earn wages in most cases significantly higher than workers in the same occupation who only earn a high school diploma or use other types of one and two year training programs.
“This report shows what we’ve always known – apprenticeships work,” said Teresa Wahlert, director of IWD. “Not only do they provide training to address the middle skills gap, they also provide individuals with on-the-job training to a new career.”
Governor Branstad has proposed tripling the amount of state funding allocated for apprenticeships under the existing 260F worker training program. Support for apprenticeships is increased from $1 million annually to $3 million by providing additional funds and reforming and streamlining administration of the program.
“Providing workers with the kind of training they need to be successful in the jobs Iowa employers are creating is essential to keep our economy growing,” commented Debi Durham, director of IEDA. “Apprenticeship programs are a proven form of training that leads to higher wages for workers and specially trained employees for Iowa’s employers. Apprenticeships are an important tool in our efforts to raise the standard of living for Iowans.”
The proposed expansion of the 260F job training program comes after broad-based collaboration among IWD, IEDA, Iowa’s employers and building trades. Nationwide, there are registered apprenticeships for more than 1,000 occupations, with programs impacting 250,000 employers and approximately 450,000 apprentices. In Iowa in FY13, there were 662 registered apprenticeship programs, and over 8,100 registered apprentices.
With company expansion and relocation projects underway around the state, demand for a skilled workforce continues to increase. Apprenticeships provide a viable approach to effectively train workers to meet the demand, while also addressing the middle skills jobs gap through focused and streamlined training efforts.
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