Iowa saw record growth in Registered Apprenticeship programs over the past fiscal year. Iowa Workforce Development is doubling down on its efforts to help create long-term training services for employers, students and job seekers, Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Monday. In the federal fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, Iowa added 181 new Registered Apprenticeship programs, 51 new occupations, and 4,350 new apprentices, according to data from the U.S. Department of Labor/Office of Apprenticeship. In fiscal year 2021, a total of 1,846 employers across Iowa participated in programs to support more than 8,500 apprentices. “The record growth of Registered Apprenticeship programs, even during the pandemic, has created meaningful career pathways across Iowa’s economy and opportunities to train the skilled workforce we need for the future,” Reynolds said in a statement marking the beginning of National Apprenticeship Week, Nov. 15-21. Beth Townsend, director of Iowa Workforce Development, said her agency is “working hard to show Iowans that Registered Apprenticeship programs are able to be created in almost every sector. And, with the support of employers, we are training and equipping the next generation of workers starting today.” Applications for the next round of training grants through the Iowa Apprenticeship Act (15B) and the Iowa Registered Apprenticeship Development Fund (15C) will be available on Jan. 1. For more information about Iowa’s Registered Apprenticeship programs, visit earnandlearniowa.gov or contact Kris Byam at kristopher.byam@iwd.iowa.gov.