This bill seeks to improve educational and internship opportunities in skilled trades within Iowa by modifying existing programs associated with the Department of Workforce Development, the Iowa Summer Youth Corps, and the College Student Aid Commission. It introduces new provisions that incorporate curricula related to skilled trades, such as welding, carpentry, and plumbing, into various educational programs, including the Iowa Youth Summer Corps. The bill also expands the internship program to help students in skilled trades secure internships that can lead to permanent employment with Iowa employers. Additionally, it amends current laws to include skilled trades in the STEM collaborative initiative, emphasizing their significance in education and workforce development.

Furthermore, the bill enhances career and technical education by integrating skilled trades curricula for students in grades seven and eight and expands the STEM collaborative initiative to include the recruitment of skilled trades teachers. It also modifies the national guard service scholarship program to focus on educational incentives for skilled trades and updates the Teach Iowa Scholar program to include applicants preparing to teach in these fields. The bill mandates postsecondary institutions to report data on the enrollment of females and minorities in skilled trades programs and directs the STEM council to promote skilled trades as part of its efforts to enhance STEM education in Iowa.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 15H.5, 84A.21, 256.11, 256.111, 256.211, 256.210, 261E.3