Et cetera : Hawkeye Community College receives state funds for apprenticeship programming

By Brooklyn Draisey

Hawkeye Community College will use more than $250,000 in state dollars to expand its apprenticeship programs alongside schools and businesses throughout the state.

According to a news release, the Waterloo community college received $262,326 from Iowa Workforce Development, managed by the Iowa Office of Apprenticeship. As a registered apprenticeship partner, the college stated in the release it will put the grant funding toward its offered apprenticeship programs in electric work, carpentry, HVAC, flooring installation and plumbing.

"This grant supports Hawkeye Community College's apprenticeship training - helping employers meet workforce demands, strengthening the local economy, and giving individuals a clear path to rewarding, high-wage careers," said Todd Holcomb, president of Hawkeye Community College, in the release.

Hawkeye Community College was one of five community colleges to receive grant funding, including Des Moines Area Community College, Kirkwood Community College, Iowa Lakes Community College and Western Iowa Tech Community College.

Funding in 2025 for the Iowa Registered Apprenticeship Act provided $2.94 million to 59 programs, according to the release, contributing to 5,133 apprentices. A separate $427,800 was awarded to newly developed registered apprenticeship programs in 19 high-demand career fields.

Iowa continues to see returns on investment from its commitment to supporting registered apprentice programs more than 10 years ago, said Beth Townsend, executive director of Iowa Workforce Development, in the release. Both program and apprenticeship numbers have increased, she said in the release, and in 2024, Iowa became a State Apprenticeship Agency, which allowed for better oversight and expanding reach across the state.

"I applaud the program sponsors receiving grant funds today who are committed to preparing the workers of tomorrow using the Registered Apprenticeship model," said Gov. Kim Reynolds in the release. "Registered Apprenticeship programs play a critical role in our overall workforce strategy. As we demonstrated in the Teacher-Paraeducator Registered Apprenticeship program, using a tried and true model in a nontraditional field is a win-win for Iowans and employers, and I am pleased to see a number of our schools receive funding under this program."