Announcement: New Iowa Office of Apprenticeship (IOA)
Governor Kim Reynolds has officially signed legislation that will direct the state to establish the Iowa Office of Apprenticeship (IOA) to accelerate the growth and development of Registered Apprenticeship (RA) Programs across Iowa.
The transition will move Iowa to a State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA), which positions the state to better promote innovation and to create a more efficient process for high school students, job seekers, and employers to find opportunity in Registered Apprenticeship.
What this Means for Iowa
Iowa has been a national leader in Register Apprenticeship programs and has utilized an earn while you learn model to reach success across the economy. The state also faces significant challenges with establishing long-term pipelines and building the Future Ready workforce needed to keep the state competitive. This transition is designed to assist with meeting those challenges. Once finalized, Iowa will become the 27th state in the U.S. to become an SAA.
Establishing the Iowa Office of Apprenticeship (IOA) will help keep the state competitive, responsive, and innovative by doing the following:
- Creating more efficient ways for Iowans to obtain portable and transferable credentials linked to fast-growing and high-demand careers.
- Creating more opportunities for in-school youth through apprenticeships and credential-attainment.
- Creating multiple points of entry into the workforce for adults who require competency based credentials to work or upskill in their careers.
Resources
The Iowa Office of Apprenticeship (IOA) will become the state registration agency for RA programs, with standards that will be established and made compliant with the U.S. Department of Labor. Additional resources are below:
- Governor Reynolds Signs Bill to Create Apprenticeship Office
- Copy of Legislation (SF 318)
What's Next
In the months ahead, Iowa Workforce Development will be following a formal process to establish the Iowa Office of Apprenticeship (IOA). This will include:
- Establishing standards through DOL
- Creating advisory council
- Outline of policies and compliance
- Establishing staff needs
Updates will continue to be posted on this page and agency channels. For more information, please contact Kristopher Byam.