The Certified Nursing Assistant Apprenticeship program at Kirkwood Community College combines our CNA and Geriatric Specialist Classes with employment in a long-term care facility.

Job Functions

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) performs essential functions within several forms of care within the health industry. The CNA Geriatric Registered Apprenticeship program is designed for long-term care facilities wherethey will provide direct patient care in their everyday setting. Classroom and on-the-job training provides a wide range of skills, including but not limited to: understanding basic level health care knowledge, taking vitals, measuring and recording food/liquid for consumption, preparing beds, moving, feeding, bathing and grooming patients, and learning safety procedures and effective care for residents.

Salary Outlook

Iowa Average Salaries range from $10.74/hour, $22,330 to $17.99/hour, $37,430

More info can be found at: www.bls.gov and www.careeronestop.org

Benefits of a Registered Apprenticeship

The apprentice is hired as a full-time employee and the business’ financial investment includes the program fee and the apprentice’s time in the classroom and on-the-job. The business will ensure the apprentice will not be scheduled on the days they are to be in class. This program provides a national certification as a nursing assistant. The hiring business will also provide a mentor that will be teaching on-the-job skills and provide support as the apprentice is learning. As an apprentice’s skills grow, the wage will increase as well. This is a one-year program with two periods of in-class instruction time.

Learn More Information and Apply

• Step 1: For more information, call 319-398-1057 or email apprenticeships@kirkwood.edu
• Step 2: Apply for the apprenticeship
• Step 3: Interview with businesses interested in hiring apprentices

Find Your CNA Future through Earn & Learn.

Quick Facts

• The apprentice is hired as a full-time employee of the health care facility, and the facility pays for the classes that start after the hire date.
• This is a one-year program with two sections of class. The first class is the CNA class. After working as a CNA, the apprentice will take a class that is more specific toward geriatric care.
• Working and training with the health care facility complements class time and the remainder of the year.
• The apprentice has a mentor the facility selects to offer support while working.
• Upon completion of the classes and the required hours of work, a national certification is received.
• The apprentice’s wage will continue to grow, once when the CNA course is complete, and again after the completion of the apprenticeship.

Geriatric Specialist Core Competencies

• Learning general concepts on aging and body system changes.
• Understanding resident assessment process and the specialty nurse assistant role in care planning and interventions.
• Providing appropriate assistance with ADL's to maximize independence and well-being.
• Developing an expanded knowledge and understanding of the aging considerations and client preferences.
• Identifying the social needs of residents during this stage of life.
• Proding appropriate care and interventions in caring for cognitively impaired residents, residents at the end of their life, and nutritional health of geriatric residents.
• Explaining additional appropriate observations during their care.
• Increasing awareness of side effects from medication use in geriatric residents.
• Gaining mentoring and training tactics within their CNA role.
• Improving communication skills with residents, families and teammates.

The two and half year Construction Technologist Apprenticeship will help you gain sought after knowledge and skills with general construction classes combined with working in the construction industry full time. Classes are held during January — March.

Job Functions

Construction Technologists perform essential functions within several roles within the construction industry. Classroom and on-the-job training will provide a wide range of skills, including but not limited to: Understanding materials, processes, specifications, contracts, construction drawings, estimation, modeling, management, and design. This field is in high demand, with great earning potential and excellent career growth opportunities. 

Salary Outlook

Iowa Average Salaries in Architecture and Construction Careers

Carpenter: $19.83/hour, $41,240
Construction Worker: $20.49/hour, $42,630
Civil Engineering Technician: $26.59/hour, $55,300
Construction Manager: $37.52/hour, $78,040
More info can be found at: www.bls.gov, www.careeronestop.org 

Job Titles in Construction Technology

This program provides pathways that could lead to Architectural Designer, Facility Management, Construction Technologist, Modeling Specialist, Project Manager, Estimator, Carpenter, Civil Engineering CAD Technician and General Contractor, to name a few.

Learn More Information and Apply

Step 1: Attend an information session or call 398-1057.
Step 2: Apply for the apprenticeship.
Step 3: Interview with companies interested in hiring apprentices.

Quick Facts

• The apprentice is a full-time employee of the company and the employer pays for the program classes.
• This is a three-year program. The first two years have standard classes that occur Jan-Mar, and the third year includes selecting a customized group of courses.
• Working and training with the company complements class time and the remainder of the year.
• The apprentice has a mentor the company selects to offer support on the jobsite.
• Upon completion of the classes and the required hours of work, a national certification is received.
• After completion, only two classes are needed to acquire the ACE diploma.

Curriculum Year One
ACE Professions
Architectural Plans and Specifications
Construction Lab
OSHA 10/First Aid/CPR

Curriculum Year Two
Architectural Modeling
Estimating
Structures and MEP

Curriculum Year Three
Customized to your own specific construction pathway.

Compare the Programs

Find Your Construction Future through Earn & Learn. Call 319-398-1057 or email apprenticeships@kirkwood.edu. www.kirkwood.edu/apprenticeships

The Diesel Mechanic apprenticeship program combines the diesel truck technology or diesel agriculture technology AAS with working part-time using your new knowledge and skills working on diesel-powered equipment performing maintenance and repair. Upon completing the classes and degree, the apprentice will need to finish their remaining work hours, working full-time over the next 2 to 3 years.

Job Functions

A diesel mechanic performs essential functions within transportation, construction, and agricultural industries. The Diesel Mechanic Registered Apprenticeship program is designed for a variety of employers within those three industries needing someone to maintain, adjust, and repair diesel engines. Classroom and on-the-job training provides a wide range of skills, including but not limited to: diagnosing, adjusting, repairing, overhauling, or maintaining and repairing any type of diesel engines including trucks, buses, and equipment.

Salary Outlook

Iowa Average Salaries range from $16/hour, $33,750 to $25/hour, $52,150. More info can be found at: www.bls.gov and www.careeronestop.org

Benefits of a Registered Apprenticeship

The apprentice is hired as a part-time to full-time employee and the business’ financial investment includes the program fee and on-the-job wages. The business will ensure the apprentice will not be scheduled during class time. This program provides a national certification as a Diesel Mechanic. The hiring business will also provide a mentor that will assist in on-the-job skills training and provide support as the apprentice is learning. As an apprentice’s skills grow, the wage will increase as well. This is a three- to four-year program with full time class instruction taking 17 months, equivalent to four consecutive semesters. Classes start in August and continues through December of the following year.

Learn More Information and Apply

Step 1: For more information, call 319-398-1057 or email apprenticeships@kirkwood.edu

Step 2: Apply for the apprenticeship

Step 3: Interview with businesses interested in hiring apprentices

Quick Facts

• The apprentice is hired as a part-time employee of the company, and the company pays for the classes that start the next semester after the hire date.
• This is a two to three-year program with 17 months of classes, about four consecutive semesters.
• After graduating, the apprentice then continues working full time.
• Upon completing 6,000 on the job hours, the apprenticeship is complete.
• Working and training with the company compliments class time.
• The apprentice has a mentor the company selects to offer support while working.
• Upon completion of the classes and the required hours of work, the apprentice receives a national certification.
• The apprentice’s wage starts in the range of $15-17, but will continue to grow as they gain education and experience, most apprentices average 6 or 12-month wage growth through to the completion of the apprenticeship.

Find your future in the advanced manufacturing industry while growing skills and knowledge in class. Get a head start with our Electro-Mechanical Technician Registered Apprenticeship! This apprenticeship is currently available for business partners, please call 319-398-1057 to learn more.

Job Functions

Electro-Mechanical Technician performs essential functions within several roles within the manufacturing industry. Classroom and on-the-job training will provide a wide range of skills, including but not limited to operating, testing, maintaining, and calibrating automated, mechanical, robotics and computerized equipment within a manufacturing facility. Repairing, fabricating, maintaining and assessing equipment critical to production. This field is in high demand, with great earning potential and excellent career growth opportunities. 

Salary Outlook for Job Titles in Automation and Instrumentation Technology

This program provides pathways that could lead to a variety of careers within advanced manufacturing.

Iowa Average Salaries in Manufacturing Careers
Automation Technician: $19.83/hour, $41,240
Robotics Technician: $20.49/hour, $42,630
Electro-Mechanical Technician: $26.59/hour, $55,300
Industrial Maintenance: $37.52/hour, $78,040

More info can be found at: www.bls.gov, www.careeronestop.org

Learn More Information and Apply

Step 1: Attend an information session or call 398-1057.
Step 2: Apply for the apprenticeship.
Step 3: Interview with companies interested in hiring apprentices.

Quick Facts

• The educational plan includes earning either the Automation & Instrumentation Technology or Industrial Maintenance AAS degrees.
• Apprentice begins employment as a part-time employee of the Manufacturer.
• Employer pays for the approved program classes.
• It is a three-year apprenticeship, designed to begin two semesters into AAS degree.

• Working and training with the company complements class time.
• The apprentice has a mentor the company selects to offer support at the facility.
• Upon completion of the AAS degree, the student begins working full time with the employer.
• It is estimated that working full time for 2 ½ years after graduation will complete the remaining on the job hours.
• After documentation is submitted, apprentice will receive a national certification from DOL.

Currently available for business partners, please call 319-398-1057 to learn more about this apprenticeship.

Kirkwood has an apprenticeship program for professional truck driving.

CDL Certificate Program

Kirkwood offers a Class A CDL Professional Driving Certificate CTTK-1095 in a four-week short-term training program.

Learn More