Celebrating One Year of the Iowa Office of Apprenticeship

The Iowa Office of Apprenticeship was formally recognized as a State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) by the U.S. Department of Labor in June 2024, thereby strengthening Iowa's ability to help develop and nurture our future workforce pipeline through high-quality, innovative Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs.

One key initial priority of the IOA was to upgrade the one-on-one experience for Iowa employers who have an active apprenticeship program and/or who are thinking of starting a new one. Not only have these efforts improved access to existing RA resources, they also have provided an opportunity for the office to begin educating sponsors about innovative and/or more efficient practices.

The IOA continues to reach out to current and potential apprenticeship sponsors, especially in industries that have the potential to create new programs. The office is doing this through:

• New Sponsor Orientations
• Monthly Office Hours
• Professional Development Series on Mentorship and Other RA Topics

For more information on these resources, visit the IOA Events and Resources page.

The IOA's increased presence across the state also has paved the way for new public communications to showcase the many possibilities offered by RA programs across the workforce. A new IOA newsletter provides new ideas and articles on key topics, while the office also has tapped into Iowa Workforce Development's online channels to incorporate apprenticeship into more of those conversations.

All of these outlets provide new ways for Iowans to learn more about the value of the earn-and-learn apprenticeship model.

IOA Insights - Office Newsletter

• View Issue One
• View Issue Two

Podcast Episode: Inside the IOA

• Featuring Kolby Knupp, IOA Program Manager

Governor Reynolds Celebrates Apprenticeship Week

• Establishing the new office also has provided more opportunities to partner with Governor Kim Reynolds to highlight the value of apprenticeship in Iowa's workforce. In November 2024, the IOA partnered with the governor to highlight National Apprenticeship Week by signing a proclamation and touring Broadlawns Medical Center to see a unique program in action that is helping apprentices peruse promising careers in healthcare.

In addition to managing RA programs themselves, the IOA also administers several grants that support the growth and development of programs.

• The Iowa Apprenticeship Act (84E) provides funding for training or ongoing costs within any active RA program in the state.
  • 2025 Awards: $2.94 million in grants to 59 sponsors who are supporting 5,133 participating apprentices.
• The Iowa Registered Apprenticeship Development Program (84F) specifically provides funding for new programs formed in a high-demand occupation.
  • 2025 Awards: $427,800 in grants to 17 sponsors who have created programs in 19 new occupations.

For more information, visit: Iowa Awards $3.4 Million in New Grants to Support Registered Apprenticeship Programs

The IOA is always seeking out success stories in RA programs, including those in new occupations or program models that can be replicated in more areas of the state. Check out a few examples of success stories that were profiled over the past year.