Several long-term care providers are among the recipients that will share in $13.5 million in funding for apprenticeship programs to help expand health careers across the state of Iowa, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) announced.

The grants are expected to support 21 projects and 1,463 apprentices through the Hawkeye State’s Health Careers Registered Apprenticeship Program. In addition to long-term care providers, recipients also include hospitals, community colleges and school districts.

Last week’s awards announcement follows the awarding last June of $2.45 million in apprenticeship grants, which supported 22 school districts and helped fund 450 new apprentices.

The awards represent a “meaningful step … toward growing our high-demand healthcare workforce,” Reynolds said Thursday in a statement. “This funding is not just about supporting programs today, it’s about paving the way for new health careers across Iowa in the decades to come.”

Senior living and care recipients:

  • Western Home Services in Cedar Falls, $1.34 million to support 135 apprenticeships
  • WesleyLife in Johnston, $416,325 to support 80 apprenticeships
  • Bethany Manor in Story City, $237,385 to support 30 apprenticeships
  • Charter Senior Living in Sioux City, $213,990 to support 52 apprenticeships
  • Life Care Companies in Des Moines, $157,763 to support 30 apprenticeships

“The strength of our healthcare workforce impacts many areas of our economy, not just in the metro areas but in more rural communities across the state,” Beth Townsend, director of Iowa Workforce Development, said in a statement. “Routing new opportunity through registered apprenticeships, which include on-the-job and classroom experience, is a proven way to encourage long-term careers where we need them the most.”

Some senior living communities in Iowa are expected to join Argentum’s Healthcare Apprenticeship Expand Program in May. HAEP was initiated through Argentum as part of a $6 million US Department of Labor grant to train apprentices in key senior living and allied health occupations. Argentum was one of 28 public-private partnerships to receive a collective $100 million. The association has a goal of enrolling and supporting more than 7,200 apprentices by February.