As construction of the career academy gets underway for the Greene County School District, a new program is already being put in place to help provide future employment opportunities.

Superintendent Tim Christensen says he is working with Iowa Central Community College, area manufacturers and the United States Department of Labor to establish an apprenticeship program. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio the program starts with a high school junior taking welding/advanced manufacturing classes at the career academy. Then the student interviews for an apprenticeship with one of four area manufacturers, including American Athletic Incorporated/Spaulding, Power Lift, Bauer Built Manufacturing and New Way/Scranton Manufacturing. If the student is selected, they would work with that employer for $13 per hour in the summer of their junior and senior year.

During the student’s senior year, they would work half days with the employer and go to school for the other half. For one year after graduation, the student would continue to work for the employer at $16 per hour. Christensen explains, the student works with a mentor while in the program, works on competencies, and receives college credit, with the end result of being hired by the business.

Christensen says the ultimate goal of the program is to create future employees.

“If we can train high school students for the careers that are available in Greene County, the goal would be that ‘A’ they may not have to continue schooling beyond the career academy. Maybe take some classes from Iowa Central, but wouldn’t necessarily have to get a four-year degree (and) incur some of the debt. But then they would be able to get a job and stay in Greene County and we could build our population base by keeping our assets here.”

Christensen notes they got the idea from a similar program that already exists at the Pella Career Academy. Greene County Development Corporation Executive Director Ken Paxton says they were asked to help contribute to the program.

“We’re considering maybe kind of helping with rent or mortgage payments to get those people to settle in our community. So it’s just a win-win opportunity.”

Christensen adds that the program would start next summer. There are future plans to include hospitality/culinary, computer programming and certified nursing assistant programs.