Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG) is thrilled to announce the launch of a high quality pre-apprenticeship program. This is the first statewide high quality pre-apprenticeship program. iJAG currently serves more than 2,200 middle and high school students who are struggling with multiple barriers in their lives and are not achieving academic success in school. The program works with students holistically to build awareness of past and/or current trauma in their lives and builds resiliency and leadership skills that ultimately lead to achievement of their very first credential – their high school diploma. This development work happens simultaneously with career and educational exploration to ensure that a customized pathway is developed for each student.
iJAG has an incredible history of success with 95% of students graduating from high school and 90% of graduates attending college or working within 12 months of graduation.
The first employer to partner with iJAG in the pre-apprenticeship program was Carlisle, Iowa based Murphy Tower Service. Their mission is to be the leading tower provider of wireless construction and maintenance services in Iowa. Murphy Tower Service is a growing company with projects covering the entire state.
“A critical part of our work is to provide students with work-based learning experiences. Murphy Tower is a great fit for this work with iJAG. Through creative experiences and training our students will benefit greatly. Pre-apprenticeship is truly setting our students up for success in a Registered Apprenticeship Program and ultimately the work force,” said Laurie Phelan, President and CEO, Iowa JAG.
Pre-Apprenticeship is Recognized as High-Quality!
— Bureau of Apprenticeship & Training
US-DOL—High-Quality Pre-Apprenticeship Programs
High-Quality pre-apprenticeship programs contribute to the development of a diverse and skilled workforce by preparing participants to meet the basic qualifications for entry into one or more Registered Apprenticeship programs. Through a variety of unique designs and approaches, pre-apprenticeship programs can be adapted to meet the needs of differing populations being trained, the various employers and sponsors they serve, and specific opportunities within the local labor market.
What is the Pre-Apprenticeship Quality Framework?
Pre-apprenticeship is defined by the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) as a program or set of strategies designed to prepare individuals to enter and succeed in a Registered Apprenticeship program and has a documented partnership with at least one, if not more, Registered Apprenticeship program(s). A quality pre-apprenticeship program is one that incorporates the following elements:
1. Approved Training and Curriculum. Training and curriculum based on industry standards and approved by the documented Registered Apprenticeship partner(s) that will prepare individuals with the skills and competencies needed to enter one or more Registered Apprenticeship program(s);
2. Strategies for Long-Term Success. Strategies that increase Registered Apprenticeship opportunities for under-represented, disadvantaged or low-skilled individuals, such that, upon completion, they will meet the entry requirements, gain consideration, and are prepared for success in one or more Registered Apprenticeship program(s) including the following:
- Strong recruitment strategies focused on outreach to populations under-represented in local, state, and national Registered Apprenticeship programs;
- Educational and pre-vocational services that prepare individuals to meet the entry requisites of one or more Registered Apprenticeship programs (e.g. specific career and industry awareness workshops, job readiness courses, English for speakers of other languages, Adult Basic Education, financial literacy seminars, math tutoring, etc. ); and
- Assists in exposing participants to local, state and national Registered Apprenticeship programs and provides direct assistance to participants applying to those programs
3. Access to Appropriate Support Services. Facilitates access to appropriate support services during the pre-apprenticeship program and a significant portion of the Registered Apprenticeship program;
4. Promotes Greater Use of Registered Apprenticeship to Increase Future Opportunities. To support the ongoing sustainability of the partnership between pre-apprenticeship providers and Registered Apprenticeship sponsors, these efforts should collaboratively promote the use of Registered Apprenticeship as a preferred means for employers to develop a skilled workforce and to create career opportunities for individuals;
5. Meaningful Hands-on Training that does not Displace Paid Employees. Provides hands-on training to individuals in a simulated lab experience or through volunteer opportunities, when possible, neither of which supplants a paid employee but accurately simulates the industry and occupational conditions of the partnering Registered Apprenticeship sponsor(s) while observing proper supervision and safety protocols; and
6. Facilitated Entry and/or Articulation.When possible, formalized agreementsexist with Registered Apprenticeship sponsors that enable individuals who have successfully completed the pre-apprenticeship program to enter directly into a Registered Apprenticeship program and/or include articulation agreements for earning advanced credit/placement for skills and competencies already acquired.
