Youth Welding Apprenticeship Program addresses employment needs in the Corridor

This story first appeared in Spotlight on Apprenticeships 2024, an annual special section dedicated to skilled trades in Eastern Iowa.

A new apprenticeship program for area high schools is giving students a leg up on pursuing a career in welding while addressing a local need for skilled workers.

The Youth Welding Apprenticeship Program, launched in 2023, connects students with training and on the job experience, resulting in nationally recognized certification. It is born out of Gov. Kim Reynolds’ registered apprenticeship initiative aimed at training and retaining talent in the state.

Grant Wood Area Education Agency coordinates the program in the Iowa Corridor, connecting school districts, businesses and Kirkwood Community College with grant funding from Iowa Workforce Development. There are currently six welding apprentices from five schools placed with four different businesses, according to Molly Crock, Future Ready Iowa curriculum consultant for Grant Wood AEA.

New Leader Manufacturing is hosting one of the apprentices. It also hosted one last year. Miranda Hammes, the company’s human resources manager, said it has been giving college students on-the-job experiences for several years and is excited to now give that opportunity to high school students.

“It’s providing students with the opportunity for hands-on welding experience while working under the mentorship of some of the most talented welders in the area,” Hammes said. “Exposure to a real-world work environment also provides development opportunities for communication, teamwork and other soft skills. Not just technical skills.”

Students who participate typically begin their engagement during their junior year, Crock said. Many have either undertaken some career exploration during their freshman or sophomore years or have taken advanced courses in school. They then begin coursework in the career academy at one of Kirkwood Community College’s regional centers.

The program is available to students in all seven counties in Kirkwood’s service area.

“The counselors and teachers at the high schools play a key role in making sure students understand this opportunity exists,” said Kristy Black, executive dean of K-12 partnerships at Kirkwood. “During the school year for about two and a half hours every day, they’re taking a package of about seven or eight different classes. The training is very hands-on. There is a lot of lab time spent on the welding machines.”

As the halfway point of the academy training approaches, students begin engaging with potential employers. The participating employers present what they have to offer and students choose which companies to apply for. Then they go through what Black describes as a regular hiring process.

When a student is hired for an apprenticeship, their school district tracks their hours and their progress on the job.

“We have received enthusiastic feedback from participating students,” said Tara Troester, strategic partner lead with the Cedar Rapids Community School District. “Many are excited about the opportunity to expand their learning while still in high school. Others have expressed appreciation at being able to apply their classroom learning to the work environment.”

To complete the apprenticeship, the student must demonstrate several core competencies that are signed off on by their employer. They will have completed 2,000 hours on the job and 144 classroom hours completed through the Kirkwood Welding Academy.

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Completing the program earns an apprentice an American Welding Society certificate, a National Institute of Metalworking Society certificate and OSHA certification, as well as high school credits.

“That can make them stand out to an employer,” Crock said. “And it gives them an experience with the business to determine if that’s what they want to do in college.”

In many cases the participating businesses hire their apprentices after the program has ended. Hammes said that this is the hope of New Leader Manufacturing, but its ultimate goal is to prepare the apprentice for a successful career wherever it takes them.

“We want students to know that you don’t need a four-year degree to earn a career that is not only rewarding, but also pays well,” Hammes said. “The skilled trades offer incredible opportunities and open a tremendous number of doors.”

Hammes added that New Leader Manufacturing plans to consider hosting additional apprenticeships in the future.

Laura Seyfer, workforce specialist with the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, said there is a need for a new crop of welders in the community.

“These programs really try to connect in-demand careers that we’re seeing shortages in,” Seyfer said. “We’re seeing the ages of welders increase and not a ton going into the profession.”

The economic alliance has been involved in the development of the apprenticeship program.

“We view it as an ecosystem in our community,” Seyfer said. “We are trying to create pipelines for our business community with local talent. So the K-12 system is one of those pipelines that feeds our workforce ecosystem. We want to make sure we are retaining local talent.”

The Youth Welding Apprenticeship Program follows the popular CNA apprenticeship program, also organized by Grant Wood AEA. There are 30 CNA apprentices from 13 school districts working in a variety of businesses, including UnityPoint and Meth-Wick Community.

“These apprenticeship programs and other programs that the schools are starting to shift to are crucial for our community,” Seyfer said. “We know we need to bring talent here, but we also have a lot of great talent in our community. The retention potential is huge.”

Recruiting has begun for the next round of welding and CNA apprentices.

“Welding is a critical workforce shortage in our area,” Black said. “Students can earn a great wage and become self-sufficient without having to go on to additional college. This pathway allows students to go right to work with the training they need to be successful. It is also a stepping stone if they want to go on to get additional training. It’s just a very good opportunity for students to see what that industry has to offer.”