For Immediate Release
Date: June 5, 2018
Contact: Martha Garcia-Tappa
Phone: 563-445-3200 ext. 43311
martha garcia-tappa@iwd.iowa.gov
DAVENPORT – Crandall Farms, Inc. and IowaWORKS in Davenport, together with the U.S. Department of Labor/Office of Apprenticeship, launched the Master Bee Keeper Registered Apprenticeship Program.
A Registered Apprenticeship is employer-driven training combined with on-the-job learning and related classroom instruction. The program allows the Registered Apprentice to earn a paycheck from day one. The Crandall Farms, Inc., Master Beekeeper Registered Apprenticeship will be a three-year program working with a variety of educational institutions.
"Over the last few years I recognized that I needed a more structured approach to training future employees on both the business and the art of beekeeping,” said Phil Crandall, president of Crandall Farms, Inc. “IowaWORKS and the U. S. Department of Labor are a great fit to help us achieve our goals of staying abreast of the current problems facing every beekeeping company."
Crandall hired Benjamin Westerman, who has a Bachelor of Science in biology and wildlife ecology and conservation from Northwest Missouri State University.
“Benjamin has a diverse academic background, and I am excited to bring him into the Crandall Farms family,” Crandall said. “He found the opportunity listed on the iowajobs.org website and contacted us.”
Registered Apprenticeship Programs help recruit, develop skilled workforce and retain talent. There are currently more than 1,000 apprenticeable occupations in industries that include energy, information technology, healthcare, financial services, transportation, advanced manufacturing, food and beverage preparation, and the building trades.
Iowa employers and job seekers can explore Registered Apprenticeship opportunities at earnandlearniowa.gov. The website helps employers understand how a Registered Apprenticeship Program works, the value it brings to their business, the resources available to help them set up a program and has a form to complete to receive more information.
Job seekers who are interested in exploring Registered Apprenticeship opportunities are encouraged to visit the website and fill out an online form to connect them to a local IowaWORKS Center. In addition IowaWORKS Center staff can help with resume preparation, cover letter assistance and mock interviews.
Gov. Kim Reynolds was appointed to President Trump's Task Force on Apprenticeship Expansion. The mission of the task force is to promote Registered Apprenticeship programs in sectors where programs are insufficient. Growing Registered Apprenticeship opportunities will help Iowa reach its Future Ready Iowa goal of having 70 percent of its workforce achieve education or training beyond high school by 2025.
This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on the linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it.