Iowa has become the 30th state to be recognized as a State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA). The Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) announced yesterday (Friday) that the Iowa Office of Apprenticeship (IOA) is now in charge of overseeing and administering all Register Apprenticeship (RA) programs statewide. This new office comes after Gov. Kim Reynolds signed SF 2311 into law to increase work-based learning programs throughout Iowa and solidify the language that created the IOA. Effective immediately, the office, with Dane Sulentic as Director and eight staff members, will oversee and register all RA programs, serve as a central point of contact for programs for sponsors, school districts, and apprentices, and ensure the mission of RA programs aligns with the state’s workforce strategies to assist in attracting and retaining and meeting the needs of the state’s most critical occupations. IWD Director Beth Townsend says, “The Iowa Office of Apprenticeship is exactly what our state needs to help maintain the long-term viability of this valuable training model. Having an office housed at IWD grants us better access to vital apprenticeship data and helps make creation and administration of these programs more efficient for employers. The IOA will help employers design programs that best meet their needs and connect them to Iowans looking for an earn-and-learn model of upskilling.” In Federal Fiscal Year 2023, Iowa had over 9,950 apprentices, throughout 957 active programs with 2,100 employers throughout the state. State officials hope to expand growth with the establishment of the IOA.
