Capitol Notebook: Iowa Gov. Reynolds highlights apprenticeships

DES MOINES — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds touted apprenticeship programs after getting a close look at one at Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines on Thursday.

According to Reynolds, the Broadlawns program has 80 apprentices with the goal of enrolling as many as 220. The program exposes Iowans to potential careers in health care.

“There’s such a need for health care workforce right now,” Reynolds said at a news conference following a tour of Broadlawns and the program that was closed to media. “We all know how effective apprenticeships can be.”

Iowa ranks 45th in the nation for patient-to-physician ratio, and 97 of the state’s 99 counties are classified as health professional shortage areas, according to the American Medical Association.

And a 2021 Iowa Health Care Association survey found nearly 19 percent of Iowa long-term care facilities were facing a staffing crisis and another 50 percent said their staffing situation was “concerning.”

Maria Morgan, chief administrative officer at Broadlawns, said the teaching hospital is proud of the apprenticeship program that she said produces health care professionals who work across Iowa.

Reynolds said the state has invested $16 million over the past three years in programs focused on health care careers. She said that has produced more than 380 apprentices, nearly 100 of whom are projected to receive certifications by the end of this year.

She also noted recently approved legislation that created the Iowa Office of Apprenticeship within Iowa Workforce Development.

USDA awards $18 million to Iowa REAP projects

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced $18.4 million through the Rural Energy for America Program, or REAP, for nearly 200 projects across Iowa to lower costs for agricultural producers and rural small business owners.

Among the awards are a $500,000 grant to install a new, more efficient oil recovery system at Elite Octane, an ethanol manufacturer in Atlantic; $260,000 for a solar array at Bottlebrush Swine hog and pig production farm near Garner; and $100,000 for a solar array at Polasheks Locker Service’s meat processing facility in Protivin.

“All these projects funded today shine a light on how to fulfill the promise of reliable, renewable clean energy for Iowans,” USDA Rural Development State Director in Iowa Theresa Greenfield said in a news release.

“USDA is delivering on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to increasing access to clean sources of energy and lowering costs for ag producers, small businesses and families in Iowa.”

A list of all the REAP project awards can be found at https://tinyurl.com/4zn4uxbn

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