When it comes to learning, one size doesn't always fit all. Some students will require a different path to find success.
Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs offer students an alternative way to reach their educational goals and find their own way to a rewarding career. By partnering with local businesses, your school district can create more opportunities for learning and growth in high-demand jobs while still supporting a studentβs success at school.
Benefits of Students in RA Programs
Students in RA programs receive a number of benefits, including:
Technical on-the-job training at the same time they're receiving a paycheck for their work.
The ability to earn college credits through their program if they wish to continue their training.
Earning a nationally recognized certificate once they've completed a program.
An apprenticeship program also helps to keep students involved in learning, because they will graduate with a High School diploma and a portable credential from the program.
What Educators Need to Know about Registered Apprenticeship Programs
School districts can partner with local businesses to create a Registered Apprenticeship (RA) program in more fields than ever before. Programs area possible not only in the traditional trades, but also in areas such as healthcare, information technology, advanced manufacturing, finance, hospitality, construction, energy, and more.
As educators, you hold a vital role in preparing students to be the workforce of our future. RA Programs help students get credentials in high-demand jobs and provide creative incentives to help them grow their own careers across the state. Contact the Iowa Office of Apprenticeship (see "How to Get Started" below) for help with getting a program launched.
Apprentices must be at least 16 years of age and hired by his or her RA Sponsor to participate in a Registered Apprenticeship program.
Note: Under the Child Labor Provisions for Non-Agricultural Occupations under the Fair Labor Standards Act, Child Labor Bulletin 101, there are limited exceptions to the Hazardous Occupation Orders for 16-and 17-year-old who are Registered Apprentices. Apprentices employed under the following conditions are exempted from the Fair Labor and Standards Act related to Hazardous Occupation Orders:
If the Registered Apprentices are employed in a craft recognized as an apprenticeable occupation;
If the work of the apprentice in the occupation declared particularly hazardous is incidental to his or her training;
If such work is intermittent and for short periods of time and is under the direct and close supervision of a journeyman/mentor as a necessary part of such apprentice training;
If the apprentice is registered by the U.S Department of Labor/Iowa Office of Apprenticeship under a written apprenticeship agreement.
There are multiple ways of offering an apprenticeship program. The two main categories are:
Registered Apprenticeships: Programs that combine classroom and on-the-job learning to educate individuals in compliance with national standards, ending in the apprentice receiving a nationally recognized credential.
Quality Pre-Apprenticeships: Programs designed to prepare individuals for entry into a Registered Apprenticeship providing basic skills training, academic skills remediation, or introduction to the industry.
Both of these approaches are part of an effort to increase work-based learning for the next generation of Iowa's workforce.
The Iowa Office of Apprenticeship is here to help school districts partner on creating successful programs. To get started, contact:
Visit this link to view a list of all High School Registered Apprenticeship programs in Iowa. To request updates or more information, please contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Registered Apprenticeship (RA) Programs
Individuals, employers, and educators can visit our frequently asked questions (FAQ) section to get answers to key questions.
