This is National Apprenticeship Week, and during a kickoff roundtable discussion last week in Storm Lake, Storm Lake Superintendent Dr. Stacey Cole said funding for the newly-created Teacher/Paraeducator Registered Apprenticeship grant program in Iowa will be a challenge going forward…(audio clip below :36 )
Earlier this year, Governor Reynolds announced over 45-million dollars in grant funding for TPRA in 134 school districts to create over a thousand teachers and paraeducators. Storm Lake is one of the first districts to utilize the program. Storm Lake partners with Buena Vista University, which is where the roundtable was held.
Linda Fandel is the governor’s liaison for Work-Based Learning at Iowa Workforce Development. She said it takes a partnership on all sides to make TPRA successful…(audio clip below :38 )
Registered Apprenticeship gives employers the chance to develop and prepare future workforce. Individuals are able to obtain paid work experience, progressive wage increases, classroom instruction, and a portable, nationally-recognized credential.