Iowa Governor Signs Apprenticeship and Job Training Act

The German Ambassador Peter Wittig met with Iowa Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds in Washington in May to discuss skills training in businesses in the Midwest. Ambassador Wittig had the chance to offer an overview of the German model of skills training which includes both classroom education and on-the-job training.

The German system has become a model for job training programs across the globe, including most recently the Kentucky Skills Initiative, which was named after the German Embassy Skills Initiative.

Following their meeting, Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds, along with Governor Terry E. Branstad and Iowa Economic Development Authority director Debi Durham announced the Iowa Apprenticeship and Job Training Act, a law that will triple funding for apprenticeship programs and calls for wide sweeping reforms on apprenticeship.

During the press conference, the three lauded the German system as a model for dual training. Debi Durham said that Iowa hopes to mimic Germany’s successful system and adapt it to Iowa’s economy.