Northeast Iowa Community College Celebrates National Apprenticeship Week with 'America at Work' Theme

Our Driftless region deserves more than postcards — it deserves a watchdog. Be that support. CALMAR, Iowa — Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) is participating in the inaugural Spring National Apprenticeship Week, April 26-May 2, 2026. This year's theme, "America at Work: Making America Skilled Again through Registered Apprenticeship," highlights the role these programs play in developing a skilled workforce and creating pathways to in-demand careers. National Apprenticeship Week is a nationwide celebration that brings together employers, apprentices, graduates and educational institutions to showcase the successes of registered apprenticeship programs. These programs help strengthen the economy and meet industry needs through specialized training. "Apprenticeships represent one of the most powerful ways we can align education with real workforce needs," said Erin Powers Daley, NICC executive director of workforce and programming initiatives. "They create a direct connection between learning and earning, where individuals gain hands-on experience, employers build their future workforce and communities grow stronger. When we invest in apprenticeships, we're not just training workers, we're building sustainable career pathways." The college offers a variety of apprenticeship models to serve the region, including: OL Registered Apprenticeship - Zurich: As the sponsor, Zurich sets the standards and handles documentation, while sending apprentices to NICC for related training and instruction. NICC Registered Apprenticeship - Welding: The College serves as the sponsor and sets standards for multiple businesses that send employees to the program for expert training. Non-Registered Apprenticeship - JB Holland Earn and Learn: A flexible pathway of education and employment tailored to specific company needs. Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Set-Up Programmer Milling & Turning Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Mold Maker Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Tool & Die Maker Heating & Air Conditioner (HVAC) Install / Service Heavy Truck Driver Maintenance Electrician The impact of apprenticeships Apprenticeship programs offer benefits for both students and employers. Students can earn while they learn, receiving a paycheck and avoiding student debt while gaining industry-recognized credentials. Employers benefit from increased retention, skill alignment and potential financial incentives such as grants or tax credits. "I thought the program did a good job of laying out the basics of being a machinist," said Ryan Lekin, who completed the CNC mold maker apprenticeship through NICC. "There was a wide range of topics that were covered, including manual machining with mills, lathes and grinders, CNC machining, designing and programming parts, quality control, print reading and more." Kelli Klaas, director of human resources at Bodine Electric, said the partnership with the college has been beneficial. "The partnership gives apprentices a structured path to gain both technical skills and real-world experience simultaneously," Klaas said. "They're learning while contributing meaningfully to our company, which boosts their confidence and engagement. For us, it helps build a pipeline of trained, loyal employees who understand our systems and culture from the ground up. In the long run, it will help us reduce turnover, close skill gaps and strengthen our internal talent pool." For more information about apprenticeship opportunities at NICC, visit nicc.edu/apprenticeships. Be the first to know! Sign up for the free newsletter and unlock exclusive updates, breaking news, and tips from around the community.