Gov. Reynolds announces Future Ready Iowa Summer Youth Intern Pilot Awards
State of Iowa Seal
DES MOINES – Today, Gov. Kim Reynolds announced the first awards for the Future Ready Iowa Summer Youth Intern Pilot Program for low-income students at risk of not graduating from high school. Nonprofit organizations and education institutions are among applicants awarded a total of $248,367 to host summer programs that prepare students for post-secondary education and training, including teaching employability skills. More than 100 students will be served.
“The Summer Youth Intern Pilot Program highlights how engaging work-based learning helps under-served students explore and prepare for rewarding careers,” Gov. Reynolds said. “We want all students to have these life-changing opportunities that build connections to jobs and communities. This couldn’t happen without outstanding public-private partnerships making this summer program possible.”
The awardees include:
Society of Saint Vincent de Paul of Des Moines: $39,100 to create a youth internship program that will link classroom training, on-the-job training and access to employers to help students develop employability skills faster. It will focus on opportunities in the trades as well as available Registered Apprenticeship opportunities.
Des Moines Area Community College and the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families: $70,000 for a program that targets low-income youth between ages 14 to 21 and develops life skills, job training and summer employment experiences while re-engaging in their high school education.
Goodwill of the Heartland: $53,737 for a program that will allow youth to explore and prepare for high-demand careers through classroom and workplace training. Participants also will complete two job shadows and a 20-hour community-based internship in Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Iowa City and Burlington.
Central College in Pella: $50,530 for high school youth to participate in a 10-week, high-demand career internship program in conjunction with Central College, Pella Corporation, Precision. and Vermeer Corporation.
Iowa Laborers’ Education and Training Fund: $35,000 for a project that will increase the number of disadvantaged youth participating in a quality pre-apprenticeship program in construction. It will provide technical-skills training and include internships with Weitz Construction and Ryan Company in Cedar Rapids and McAninch Corporation and Core Structural Services in Des Moines.
“The programs will provide at-risk youth with opportunities to develop those skills necessary to be successful in any workplace as well as expose them to high-demand job opportunities in our state. They will learn on the job and connect with industry professionals and are a great work-based learning opportunity to help develop our skilled workforce,” said Beth Townsend, Iowa Workforce Development director.
The Iowa Summer Youth Intern Program was created under the Future Ready Iowa Act as a way to develop Iowa’s skilled workforce and improve the lives of Iowans. The initiative aims to ensure 70 percent of Iowans in the workforce ages 25 and 64 have education and training beyond high school by the year 2025.
For more information about Future Ready Iowa, visit www.FutureReadyIowa.gov.
