What is a High School Registered Apprenticeship Program (HSRAP)?
Registered Apprenticeship (RA) opportunities can be life-changing for high school students wanting to jump-start rewarding careers while helping employers develop a skilled early talent pipeline. Iowans are seeing the value of this “earn and learn” model that combines education and training that leads to a highly recognized national credential and a paycheck on day one.
Students begin coursework while in high school, complete valuable on the job training with a partner employer and learn key skills in a high demand career. HSRAPs create clarity on pathways to career fields, and allow students to earn while they learn and accomplish their goals. Learn more at earnandlearniowa.gov/playbook.
What You Get:
- Qualified pool of applicants with Kirkwood Regional Center Welding Academy coursework completed (full year of college level welding training).
- Partner employer selection of applicant(s) that best fit your needs.
- Apprentice on site demonstrating competencies and completing assigned work for 2000 hours at a partner employer.
- Minimum pay requirements that may be lower than starting wages.
- Opportunity to train a workforce that fully meets your company’s needs.
- School district provided support to assist the apprentice as needed.
- No commitment to hire on completed apprentices.
What You Provide:
- Mentor on site for any needed training and/or support
- Pay at an agreed upon wage
- Periodic evaluations of proficiency with technical and behavioral competencies
Sample Apprentice Timeline:
| Junior Year | Complete welding coursework at Kirkwood Regional Center. |
| Summer After Junior Year | Begin with a partner employer full time. |
| Senior Year | Work part time with a partner employer - specific schedules dependent upon apprentice and employer needs/availability. (ex: half day, nights, weekends, etc.) |
| After Graduation | Continue working full or part-time with the employer until competencies are met and 2000 hours completed. |
Partner Employer Engagement
- End of January: Partner employer commits to a set number of apprentices for summer placement.
- February - May: Partner employer interviews, selects and hires apprentice(s).
- June - August: Apprentice(s) start full time.
- August - December: Evaluations and program updates as needed, planning for the next round of placements.
Want to learn more or ready to get involved?
Email Jen Boyd (jboyd@gwaea.org) for more information and steps to sign up!