Two of the Iowa’s large employers are being recognized for having registered apprenticeship programs that meet federal guidelines. Apprentices in programs at Tyson Foods and Wells Fargo start earning a paycheck while getting on-the-job experience along with classroom training. Lonny Jepsen, director of human resources for Tyson Foods, says his company’s program partnered with community colleges in Fort Dodge, Des Moines, Waterloo and Muscatine to help train their apprentices.
*
Lance LaVergne, a senior V-P at Wells Fargo, says his company aims to expand its apprenticeship program to veterans.Iowa
*
LaVergne and Jepsen were in the governor’s office to sign paperwork showing their companies’ apprenticeship programs meet U.S. Labor Department standards. There are 846 OTHER registered apprenticeship programs in the state of Iowa. And, by the way, this is National Apprenticeship Week.