DES MOINES – Tuesday (Today), Governor Reynolds announced 46 awardees of the Coronavirus Relief Fund Earn and Learn Grant, totaling $5.85 Million. The grants will fund projects that support the creation and expansion of short-term training programs and support services resulting in industry-recognized credentials. Individual grants ranging $10,000 to $250,000 were awarded to project proposals submitted by nonprofits, adult training providers, small businesses (less than 50 employees), post-secondary institutions, and unions.

In Western Iowa:

• Better Health Inc. (dba Valley Drug Store) – Missouri Valley Valley Drug Store (Harrison County) received a grant award of $18,371, to create and implement a new Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship Program which will result in Nationally Certified Pharmacy Technician credential (CPhT). The program will enroll up to 3 apprentices by the end of February, 2021.
• The Lakeside Village – Panora (Guthrie County) received a grant for $150,000, which will enable 23 individuals to be provided with support to address barriers including childcare and transportation in addition to participating in an earn and learn model to earn credentials, including Certified Nursing Aide, Medication Management, ServSafe and Dietary Manager certifications.
• Country Meats in Arcadia (Carroll County) received a $200,000 grant award to expand a newly established Meat Cutting Registered Apprenticeship Program, by adding two additional registered apprentices who will be hired before the end of February, 2021, with the potential of an additional three apprentices in the near future.
• Vendemark Heating and Cooling in Woodbine (Harrison County) received a $79,750 grant toward the establishment of a long-term Registered Apprenticeship Program. Initially, two persons whose jobs have been affected by the Coronavirus, will be hired and trained in a HVAC registered apprenticeship program.
• LePorte Electric in Shenandoah received a $14,246 grant to support the creation of a new electrical Registered Apprenticeship Program targeting Iowans whose employment has been impacted by the pandemic.
• Loess Hills Envionmental, LLC, in Logan was awarded $24, 243 to address the need of key health and safety certifications mandated for work in several high demand professions. Loess Hills will deliver hybrid online and in-person training courses in blood-borne pathogen, first aid, CPR and AED certifications for up to 168 Iowans.
• Other awards were made to: St. Anthony Regional Hospital, in Carroll and The Children’s Jungle, in Winterset.

(A summary of all awards can be found here)

According to Governor Kim Reynolds, “The Earn and Learn grant program will lead to training opportunities in high demand occupations helping Iowans find good-paying, family-supporting careers. These funds may be used toward tuition, training equipment, books, tools, work-related supplies, wrap-around supports, as well as administrative costs. I am proud to announce these awards to forty-six innovative projects with the potential of serving 1800 Iowans whose employment has been affected by this pandemic.”

Beth Townsend, Director of Iowa Workforce Development, said “As with all CARES Act funding, these grant funds must be expended by December 30, 2020.  These training opportunities can enroll Iowans within a few weeks and participants will earn high-demand credentials, many by the end of February, 2021. In order to supercharge our recovery, we need to make sure those most hurt by the pandemic through the loss of their occupation, are provided ways to develop new skills while in a position to earn wages, get off unemployment and provide for their families.”

The Coronavirus Relief Fund Grant programs support Future Ready Iowa’s goal of having 70 percent of Iowans in the workforce with education and training beyond high school by 2025.  Approximately 60 percent of Iowa’s current workforce meets this education and training criteria.  Visit www.FutureReadyIowa.gov for more information.