Sheldon, Iowa — IowaWORKS, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor is hosting an Apprenticeship Open House event this Wednesday, November 16th, from 1-3 at Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon, as part of the second annual National Apprenticeship Week.
The event will feature a presentation from a U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship and Training Representative, a few words from Midwest Mechanical in Sioux Falls, a successful Registered Apprenticeship Sponsor, and NCC’s Director of Workforce, Frank DeMilia will be talking about how the college can partner with businesses for the classroom component of the Apprenticeship Program. The event is free and open to the public and business community.
DeMilia says it’s geared to employers and employees interested in the apprenticeship concept.
DeMilia says apprenticeship is an “earn and learn” training model that combines work-based learning with related classroom instruction using the highest industry standards.
He says apprenticeship can lead to careers in healthcare, IT, energy and more.
The U.S. currently has approximately 375,000 apprentices working with more than 150,000 employers. Last year, President Obama established a goal of doubling the number of Apprenticeships within five years. The inaugural National Apprenticeship Week is one of several initiatives helping achieve that goal.
DeMilia tells us what the apprenticeship model looks like.
He says there are exceptions, such as the machining program they have with a company in Paullina. He says their training is online, and it is competency-based rather than hours-based, so someone with experience could complete the program more quickly.
DeMilia says NCC also has a powerline apprenticeship program and is in the early stages of setting up an electrician apprenticeship program as well.
Again, the Apprenticeship Open House is for anyone interested, from either the employer or the employee side, and it’s this Wednesday, November 16th, from 1-3 at Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon.
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