Gov. Little highlights apprenticeships and LAUNCH, proclaims November Idaho Apprenticeship Month
Meridian, Idaho – Governor Brad Little proclaimed November “Idaho Apprenticeship Month” and promoted Idaho LAUNCH alongside healthcare workers in Meridian today.
“There are multiple pathways to success. We need more young Idahoans to go on to postsecondary education, and we’ve been very intentional about expanding ‘go-on’ to include opportunities outside of the traditional four-year college degree – including apprenticeships,” Governor Little said.
In an apprenticeship, a person trains on-the-job to become skilled in a trade or profession while earning wages and taking courses.
Apprenticeships are a proven model to build skills and wages. In Idaho, there are more than 2,400 apprentices. Apprenticeships have increased 40% each year over the past three years as the State of Idaho has invested well over $10 million in scaling registered apprenticeships over the past five years.
Governor Little also took the opportunity to highlight LAUNCH, a program that was expanded this year to offer graduating high school seniors grants that cover 80% of the cost for an education or training program that leads to an in-demand career, up to $8,000,
With funding available for only half of Idaho’s high school seniors, they are encouraged to apply as soon as possible at https://nextsteps.idaho.gov/launch.
“We strengthen our infrastructure and grow our economy by investing in building the diverse, skilled workforce of the future that Idaho needs to compete in a global economy. Our state, our economy, and our communities thrive when we all have good opportunities to contribute, build and grow together. My goal from the start has been to make our state the place where our children and grandchildren choose to stay. We can do that by equipping them with the skills they need to become lifelong learners and participants in our state’s workforce. This month, we celebrate those people who have found success, and we encourage more Idahoans to learn about these great pathways into higher paying jobs,” Governor Little said.
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