The Pella Community School District, Vermeer Corporation, and the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council are hard at work finalizing an apprenticeship program at the Career Academy of Pella.

Vermeer Talent Acquisition Manager Whitney Wilkinson tells KNIA/KRLS News Vermeer is partnering with those other groups to bring a welding apprenticeship to students in the area.

“In this particular program that we are so excited about, we’ll be partnering with the Career Academy and there will be certification that [the students] will have by the time they complete that program and by the time the even graduate high school,” she says. “They will be able not only earn a wage while they are still in school, but they’ll be able to transition right into the workforce–right after high school, with certification in hand,”

She says Vermeer aims to generate interest in manufacturing and give participants hands on experience. The Pella School Board approved the courses to begin this fall as part of the program that pays and certifies students completing the apprenticeship.