Quad-Cities Celebrates Apprentices at Signing Day
Quad-Cities schools want to make sure students have access to promising employment tracks. Two upcoming events will present exciting options for students to explore.
Apprenticeships offer many exciting opportunities, and Quad-Cities schools will celebrate these options on April 19 during the Quad-Cities-Wide High School Apprenticeship Signing Day. The community will learn how apprenticeships can offer students powerful technical and professional skills to help them build a competitive advantage.
Bettendorf’s Waterfront Convention Center will host the event.
These events will be held Monday and Tuesday, April 19 and 20. The April 19 event will be Signing Day, where the community can learn more about apprentices and their achievements. The April 20 event, QC Call to Action, is virtual. The Zoom-based online event can be accessed through the link, www.tinyurl.com/QCCalltoAction. Be sure that Zoom has been downloaded in advance.
Apprentices Learn in Real-World Settings
Students who pursue apprenticeships set the stage for future success by developing needed long-term skills. On Signing Day, future industry leaders take vital first steps toward success. Students are on their way to establishing meaningful careers in which they can take pride. An apprenticeship is a chance for students to gain technical and professional skills through related training with their schools and on-the-job learning with partner companies.
Signing Day, the Quad-Cities-Wide High School Apprenticeship Day, will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. Monday, April 19, at the Waterfront Convention Center, 2021 State St., Bettendorf, IA 52722. Doors will open at 3:30 p.m. At this event, Quad-Cities schools and the companies that host their apprentices will celebrate the efforts of their 50-plus 2021 apprentices. The apprentices are from schools all over the Quad-Cities, including Davenport, Rock Island, Moline, North Scott, Pleasant Valley, and United Township.
Students may invite two guests and safety steps will be observed to protect attendees, including masks, sanitizer, and social distancing. Students and their guests can talk with teachers about apprenticeships and visit tables hosted by company representatives and network with these potential employers.
Over 15 companies in the Quad Cities region are hosting apprentices, either with current placements or placements set to start this summer. These companies represent manufacturing, security, IT, healthcare, and banking and include John Deere, Per Mar, Musco Lighting, Eckhart, Midwest Alarms, MA Ford, and more.
The Competitive Advantage
Instructors with Quad-Cities schools are thrilled to help students to expand their opportunities, build a dynamic competitive advantage, and get ahead in their career and life plans. Apprenticeships help students to become career-ready, as well as college-ready, if they decide to
pursue that level of higher education. Work individually and in teams to develop the expertise, confidence, and skills for today’s top careers.
Students typically begin their on-the-job learning the summer between 11th and 12th grade by working eight hours per day at a partner site. During their senior year, students work four hours per day at a partner site and attend school half of the day. Upon graduation, students continue in their apprenticeship until all related training hours and standards are met.
Apprenticeships prepare students for high-wage, high-skill, high-demand careers. The courses and pathways provide students with the academic and technical skills, knowledge, and training necessary to succeed in future careers, and are aligned to industry standards and needs within our community.
