Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad on Thursday signed legislation aimed at improving access to modernized technical education, the Cedar Rapids Gazette reported. Branstad, appearing at Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, said the legislation is aimed at making sure students graduate “genuinely ready” for college or career training. He also expects the bill to help Iowa reach its goal of having 70 percent of Iowa’s workforce achieve education or training beyond high school by 2025. The legislation emphasizes work-based training starting in eighth grade, sets up regional partnerships, and expands career technical education in agriculture, food, natural resources, arts, communication, information systems, engineering, manufacturing, marketing and other fields.