(DES MOINES) – A new website launched this week encourages Iowa employers and job seekers to explore Registered Apprenticeship opportunities. Earnandlearniowa.gov focuses on helping employers understand how a Registered Apprenticeship Program works, the value it brings to their business and the resources available to help them set up a Registered Apprenticeship Program. Job seekers can learn why a Registered Apprenticeship leads to a successful career.

Gov. Kim Reynolds was appointed to President Trump’s Task Force on Apprenticeship Expansion last fall. She says the Registered Apprenticeship model is a proven solution for recruiting, training and retaining world-class talent in Iowa. Growing Registered Apprenticeship opportunities will also help Iowa reach its Future Ready Iowa goal of 70 percent of the workforce having education or training beyond high school by 2025. Iowa Workforce Development Director Beth Townsend says Registered Apprenticeship Programs include jobs in energy, information technology, health care, financial services, transportation, advanced manufacturing, food and beverage preparation and the building trades.

On the website, job seekers can research occupations where Iowa currently offers Registered Apprenticeship Programs and find names and contact information for Registered Apprenticeship Sponsors who offer a program. Employers can learn about the process for setting up a Registered Apprenticeship Program and the state funding available to sponsors. Earnandlearniowa.gov is a collaboration between Iowa Workforce Development, the U.S. Department of Labor/Office of Apprenticeship in Iowa and Iowa Economic Development Authority.