Apprenticeship Signing Day celebrates career path options

More than 50 high school students got a start on their career path with an apprenticeship during "Signing Day" held Monday, April 19. Celebrating and bringing awareness to career path options that exist for future workforce was the impetus behind the event, which organizers plan to make an annual occurrence.

Presented by a collective of Quad Cities education and industry partners, the event featured area high schools and their apprenticeship site-host companies coming together to recognize the efforts of their 50+ 2021 apprentices. Students represent high schools throughout the Quad Cities, including Davenport, Rock Island, Moline, North Scott, Pleasant Valley and United Township. 

More than 15 companies in the Quad Cities region host apprentices, either with current placements or placements set to start this summer. These companies represent manufacturing, security, IT, health care and banking and include John Deere, Per Mar, Musco Lighting, Eckhart, Midwest Alarms, MA Ford and more. However, additional businesses are needed to meet existing students and allow expansion of these critical programs.

In addition to the high schools, other collaborators include Black Hawk College, Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, industry apprenticeship site-host partners and the Quad Cities Chamber.

Want to learn more?

If you are a local business in need of a sustainable talent pipeline – click the chat box icon to the right to contact Mike Oberhaus at the Quad Cities Chamber and discuss how you can participate in high school registered apprentice programs.