Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are a great way to double the impact of your educational experience. Eastern Iowa Community Colleges sponsors registered apprenticeship standards in Culinary Arts, more than 10 manufacturing careers.
What is a Registered Apprenticeship?
A registered apprenticeship combines on-the-job learning with classroom instruction.
Apprenticeships are a “learn and earn” model that provide an opportunity to receive
training in a high demand career field, while earning a paycheck and experience.
How Can I Become an Apprentice?
Typically, in order to participate in an apprenticeship, you must be hired or sponsored
by a company that participates in a registered apprenticeship. Apprentices can be
new hires, or businesses can select current employees to join the apprenticeship program.
Apprentices in Eastern Iowa Community Colleges' culinary program will be assigned
to employers after enrolling in the program.
What Are the Benefits of Being an Apprentice?
- Learn high demand skills
- Earn while you learn
- Guaranteed wage increases as you build your skills
- Training is recognized industry-wide
- Most apprentice coursework can translate into a college credential/degree, or provide credits toward a degree
I’m Interested! What Do I Do Now?
Apprentices must have an employer sponsor. There are two ways you can get started:
- Complete some coursework at the college in order to apply to a company that offers
apprenticeship training, or
- Put your current skills and education to work by applying to a company that offers apprenticeship training. To find out more about companies offering apprenticeship training through Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, contact Paula Arends at parends@eicc.edu
Please note that individuals are selected by the employer to become apprentices. Typically,
this happens after six months to a year on the job. In some rare cases, employers
will make a new hire with the intent of putting them through apprenticeship training.
Apprenticeship opportunities are also available through local companies and labor
unions. For additional apprenticeship opportunities, visit FutureReadyIowa.gov, and click on “Build Your Skills”, and then “Registered Apprenticeship”.
In order to participate in the apprenticeships listed through area companies, you
will need to apply for employment with the companies you are interested in. If you
do not have the basic skills the employers will require, consider taking a short term
certificate at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges. If you complete coursework that is
later required for your apprenticeship, you can apply it toward your program.
Union locals typically have a process for testing and interviewing for acceptance.
Each local offers opportunities at different times throughout the year, and apprentices
are selected by a committee. For more information, visit www.tcbuildingtrades.com.
Quick tip: Many of the tests used for the union locals involve math. If you need to brush up, Eastern Iowa Community Colleges can provide classes to help!
What if I Already Completed Coursework or Have Skills that Align with the Apprenticeship?
You may have taken dual enrollment or academy coursework in high school or completed
classes toward a college credential that apply to your apprenticeship. Maybe you have
worked in the industry and have already gained skills. You may be able to apply previous
training and experience to your apprenticeship.
What Are the Benefits of Apprenticeships to Employers?
An apprenticeship is a great way for employers to “grow their own” skilled workforce.
They provide:
- Easy start-up and coordination
- Flexible training that can be adapted to the company’s needs
- Application of previous coursework and experience, and
- Highly trained employees.
Most importantly, investing in an apprenticeship often results in higher levels of
employee loyalty and retention.
To learn more about getting involved in starting an apprenticeship as an employer
sponsor or apprentice, contact:
Paula Arends
parends@eicc.edu
563-336-3357
Questions? Call toll-free 1-888-336-3907, email eiccinfo@eicc.edu or contact the college nearest you and ask to speak to an advisor.
- Clinton Community College, 563-244-7000
- Muscatine Community College, 563-288-6000
- Scott Community College, 563-441-4000
t is the policy of Eastern Iowa Community College District not to discriminate in
its programs, activities, or employment on the basis of race, color, national origin,
sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, religion, and actual
or potential family, parental or marital status, as required by the Iowa Code §§216.6
and 216.9, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d and
2000e), the Equal Pay Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 206, et seq.), Title IX (Educational
Amendments, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1681-1688), Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C.
§ 794), and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101, et
seq.).
If you have questions or complaints related to compliance with this policy, please
contact EICC’s Equal Employment Opportunity Officer/Equity Coordinator, Eastern Iowa
Community College District, 101 West Third Street, Davenport, Iowa 52801, 563-336-5222,
equity@eicc.edu or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights U.S. Department of
Education, John C. Kluczynski Federal Building, 230 S. Dearborn Street, 37th Floor,
Chicago, IL 60604-7204, Telephone: (312) 730-1560 Facsimile: (312) 730- 1576, TDD
(800) 877-8339 Email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov.