Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

This one year registered apprenticeship program is designed to give long term care facilities the opportunity to hire someone who is not certified and have them complete the CNA course, state exams and become certified. This program allows facilities to be a starting place for someone who is looking to enter the health care industry as a job changer, or new to the workforce. The program includes a Geriatric Specialist course 3-6 months after working as a CNA. The individual will be able to work in dietary or housekeeping until their CNA certification. After the apprentice is certified, they are required to work 2,000 hours on the job.

This one year program is also designed to grow your current CNA Staff as well, with the program starting at the Geriatric class, and requiring 2,000 work hours.

Geriatric Care Giving

Retention for your CNAs can be a challenge. We have an innovative program designed to help show the CNA that you appreciate and value their work. It indicates that you see them in the future team you want, and it gives them the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills with the online course and apprenticeship program through Kirkwood Community College.

This course will teach and develop the CNA to be

• A mentor, trainer, and leader within the CNA role
• More versatile, by giving skills and knowledge that allow them to work efficiently and properly in memory care, skilled rehab, and other specialty areas as a floater
• Polished and effective patient and family communicator
• Valuable team member who can help with discharge planning and paperwork skills
• Goal seeker by providing an opportunity to control their own success

This should be for a member of your team who meets a combination of some of these qualities:

• Leadership Potential
• Demonstrated the desire to learn more areas within your facility (ie: memory care, skilled rehab care)
• Great attendance
• Performing well as a CNA
• Class requested by the CNA

Geriatric Care 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.
• Providing 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.

3 Courses for just $1625 per apprentice

CNA BASIC

• Includes tuition, books, materials, and state testing
• 30 hours of online learning
• 25 hours of labs
• 30 hours of clinicals
• New classes every other month

CNA GERIATRIC

• Must be a CNA on the state registry with at least 3 months of experience
• 70 hours of online learning
• Mentor, trainer, and leader within the CNA Role
• Ability to work efficiently and properly in memory care, skilled rehab, and other specialties as a floater
• Helps with discharge planning and paperwork skills
• New classes start every other month

MEDICATION AIDE

• State-certified class to enable a CNA to administer medicines
• Must be a CNA on the state registry and worked at your facility for last 6 months
• 50 hours combined for online and lab
• 10 hours of clinicals
• New classes start every quarter
• Must be completed of the other apprenticeship requirements prior to registering through the apprenticeship project manager

Current CNAs Becoming Apprentices

New apprentices that already are certified will receive credit for the CNA Basic class bringing the total to $825.

In-House Approved Clinical Instructor

As an apprenticeship partner, an RN can be approved and trained to be the facility's clinical instructor. Allowing more flexibility in scheduling clinicals and apprentices at the facility. It minimizes additional cross contact with other facilities.

Contact the Apprenticeship Office

apprenticeships@kirkwood.edu
319-398-1057

A registered apprenticeship provides an opportunity to combine on-the-job training and related classroom instruction while earning wages and gaining skills.

This 2 ½ year program allows companies opportunities to hire students who want on the job learning and experience while going to school full time in either Construction Management AAS or ACE diploma students. Upon completing the diploma or degree programs, this brings them to their full time position with your company and they will complete the remaining on the job work hours to meet 4,800. There is also the opportunity to place new employees in the programs or customizing the program for the employee.

This apprenticeship was designed through collaboration with the ACE Sector Board, Department of Labor, Iowa Works, and Kirkwood Community College.

Apprenticeship Benefits to Business

• Select of quality candidates before they are available to the industry
• Build loyalty through investing in the apprentice to reduce turnover and create better work for your customers
• Utilize the apprentice to work during the peak construction time using the skills and knowledge gained in class
• Customize the Apprentice Agreement to fit your business needs
• Give yourself and your apprentice time to decide on the construction area of focus, with two years of standard classes and the third year being customized to a specific pathway of your choosing
• Instill productivity and hard work through the investment of the apprentice's education

Work Availability

ACE Diploma Student and Full Time AAS Students

YEAR 1 WORK AVAILABILITY*

• Fridays there is no class, all work availability
• Mondays and Wednesday after 12:30

MID MAY THROUGH MID AUGUST

• Full Time Monday - Friday

Full Time AAS Student

YEAR 2 WORK AVAILABILITY*

• Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays

* This is a typical schedule but can vary by student

Apprenticeship Investment

Includes paying for 9 credit classes, 2 noncredit classes, administrative time for managing the program and paperwork. Investment is estimated at $9,000. Billing generally occurs as classes are taken, and is part of the advance planning prior to the offer being made to the employee or student.

Start Up Steps

1. Meet with the Kirkwood Community College Apprenticeship Project Manager to go over the program.
2. Sign the apprenticeship agreement.
3. Customize the apprentice agreement form to meet your needs.
4. Kirkwood will collect and provide applications to review.
5. Interview the candidates of choice.
6. Offer/negotiate the wages, and create the wage growth plan.
7. Notify the Apprenticeship Project Manager which apprentice is selected. 

Courses

Year 1

ACE Professions
Overviews the commercial construction industry through a case study of local architectural, construction (both general contractor and subcontractor), and engineering professions.

Architectural Plans & Specifications
Introduces the skills and methods for understanding and interpreting construction drawings and technical specifications for residential and commercial buildings.

Construction Lab
Provides introductory, hands-on construction lab experience in a project-based environment that emphasizes teamwork, communication, productivity, and the soft skills required for success in the construction industry.

OSHA 10/First Aid/CPR
These are safety-related courses and are generally required to be on most job sites. Certification cards are provided once completed.

Year 2

Architectural Modeling
Introduces construction concepts through computerized model building. Explores various wall systems and the phases of the construction process.

Estimating
Introduces the basic principles and skills necessary to develop estimates for residential projects. Concentrates on calculating material and labor quantities. Introduces techniques for pricing.

Structures & MEP
Continues the study of materials, methods, and terminology used in modern construction. Focuses on mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, as well as their coordination with other systems. Includes the use of charts and tables to evaluate system requirements.

Year 3

Customized to a specific construction pathway

The Diesel Mechanic apprenticeship program provides companies an opportunity to hire students who want on the job learning and experience while going to school full time in the diesel truck technology or diesel agriculture technology AAS programs. These students will be able to work part-time using their new knowledge and skills working on diesel-powered equipment performing maintenance and repair, while in school for 17 months. Upon completing the classes and degree, the apprentice will need to finish their remaining work hours, working full-time over the next 2-3 years to meet 6,000 hours of work.

The work scheduling and costs for the program vary but is estimated at 10-20 hours weekly, and the investment for the full program is estimated at $16,000. Billing generally occurs as classes are taken, and is part of the advance planning prior to the offer being made to the employee or student.

The Electro-Mechanical registered apprenticeship program provides companies an opportunity to hire students who want on the job learning and experience while going to school full time in the Electro-Mechanical or Industrial Technology AAS programs. These students will be able to work part time using their new knowledge and skills working in a manufacturing setting while in school full time for 24 months. Upon completing the classes and degree the apprentice will need to finish their remaining work hours, working full time over the next 2-3 years to meet the 6,000 hours of work.

The work scheduling and costs for the program vary but is estimated at 10-20 hours weekly, and the investment for the full program is estimated at $22,000. Billing generally occurs as classes are taken, and is part of the advance planning prior to the offer being made to the employee or student.

Please contact Workforce Initiative Project Manager Becky Weininger at 319-398-1057 or becky.weininger@kirkwood.edu for more information.

The Truck Driving registered apprenticeship program is a one year program centered on our Professional Driving Certificate program. Apprentices attend full time class for four weeks with the final test to earn the Class A CDL license. Upon completion of the class, apprentices are required to work 2,000 hours on the job.

CDL Program