Local Opportunity for Workforce Development through School to Work Programs

May 13, 2022 | Trends in Iowa Education JD Davis, ABI, jddavis@iowaabi.org

On April 26th, during the overtime period of the 2022 Iowa legislative session, the House and Senate concurred on SF2383, an important workforce initiative and ABI priority. The final version of this legislation includes a work-based learning component, which has been successfully implemented by several ABI members. The measure is also a priority of Governor Reynolds, and her approval is expected.

Work-based learning is a strategy to provide high school students with real-life work experience through internships, while receiving high school credit. Not only does this help students identify potential career paths post-graduation in their local communities, but it also helps employers identify potential employees.

Work-based learning programs are currently overseen by school district personnel, whose time is already challenged by other K-12 obligations. In other cases, schools channel students to colleges and universities, rather than providing them the opportunity to experience local industrial careers. The House and Senate legislation allows certified oversight of the work-based learning programs by non-school employees, as long as they complete a short 15-hour course within 2 years of starting their role with the school’s work-based learning program. Certified oversight is a requirement for students to be eligible to receive high school credit for participation.

The legislation also requires school districts to report periodically the status of work-based learning programs available to students and businesses. ABI members and staff will be able to use these reports to assess the locations that may benefit by starting a work-based learning program. ABI members have had success with implementing these programs, and it holds great potential for areas that have not yet been served.

ABI staff will be discussing more about this program during our regional meetings, which will be held later this month. So, stay tuned, and be sure to sign up for a meeting in your area by going to the ABI events page on our website: www.iowaabi.org/events. For more information on workforce development through work-based learning programs, please feel free to reach out to the ABI public policy team directly.