
In order for the country to meet its workforce needs and to help U.S. companies maintain a competitive advantage in the global economy, the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) is committed to expanding the availability of apprenticeship to more businesses and workers across the country.
The Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities (IAMU) has been asked by the USDOL to be a national leader and to join the USDOL in a campaign to expand apprenticeships across the U.S. This is due to the IAMU Electric Line Mechanic Apprenticeship Program. The department’s ApprenticeshipUSA initiative will engage businesses across all industries to discuss the value of apprenticeships and to encourage greater adoption of the workforce strategy. IAMU has agreed to be 1 of 3 Iowa companies and 1 of only 135 companies in the U.S. to become an ApprenticeshipUSA Leader.
• Transforming the image of Apprenticeship
• Recruiting Leaders and Champions to promote Apprenticeship in new industries and advance innovative Apprenticeship models
• Creating mechanisms and infrastructure to support industry-based expansion efforts
• Building public-private partnerships and other mechanisms to accelerate apprenticeship adoption and innovation
How does IAMU benefit from being an ApprenticeshipUSA Leader?
• Receiving national recognition as a leader in addressing the national and industry challenges of developing a skilled workforce
• Shaping the direction of apprenticeship expansion in our industry and local area
• Learning from peer networks, advice and best practices from other employer Leaders across our industry and across the country
• Receiving customized technical assistance and support from a network of apprenticeship staff and consultants
Apprenticeship programs are an employer-driven training model that combines on-the-job learning with related classroom instruction to increase an apprentice’s skill level, opportunities, and wages. There has never been a better time for a utility to start developing their staffs education and skills in the IAMU Electric Apprenticeship Program. Graduates of IAMU apprenticeship program earn a national, industry-recognized credential. This means your employee has met a national and independent standard for quality and rigor. Participation in the apprenticeship program tells your customers and suppliers that you invest in your workforce and that you believe your employees are your most important asset!
IAMU has been invited by the Secretary of Labor, Thomas E. Perez, as a critical stakeholder and leader for Registered Apprenticeship, to an invitation-only ApprenticeshipUSA Summit at the White House on September 8th then a separate Capitol Hill Congressional Event on September 9th in continued support of the expansion of Registered Apprenticeship in the U.S. IAMU is extremely proud of our apprenticeship program and will be participating at the Summit and Congressional event.