Boone High School and Fareway Stores, Inc. joined Governor Kim Reynolds to announce the first high school registered apprenticeship in meat cutting. The program furthers the innovative work-based learning initiatives of Boone Edge, Future Ready Iowa, and Executive Order No. 1 that established Iowa’s Clearinghouse for work-based learning.
“We were very fortunate to be one of the first partners, along with Boone Edge, when Governor Reynolds established Iowa’s Clearinghouse,” said Fareway President & CEO Reynolds W. Cramer. “The program at Boone High School truly provides an edge when it comes to great jobs in the future for our students, and we are excited to offer a meat cutting apprenticeship that will provide valuable skills long-term for these students.”
“The Boone Edge program is a comprehensive, community-based, collaborative learning environment that helps all students find their passion through work-based learning,” says Kris Byam, Boone High School Principal. “We’ve partnered with Fareway to create a one-of-a-kind apprenticeship in meat cutting. Our apprentices will be able to gain job-specific culinary skills, and build core skills in communication, collaboration, and professionalism. Not only will this apprenticeship program serve students in Boone, but this is a scalable program throughout the State of Iowa in any community where a Fareway is located.”
The model for the meat cutting registered apprenticeship program allows for a student to complete all or a part of the coursework online. The Boone School District is making it available to high schools across the state.
“For students, a registered apprenticeship program means developing career-ready skills, while earning a paycheck,” said Governor Kim Reynolds. “For parents, it provides assurance that their student is on a promising career pathway with this earn and learn model. For employers, registered apprenticeships are a proven tool to develop a stronger talent pipeline of skilled workers in the field.”
Boone High School junior Devin Rush is the first student to sign-up for Boone’s initial registered apprenticeship program. Devin will begin his apprenticeship at the Fareway located in Boone.
Fareway Stores, Inc. is a growing Midwest grocery company currently operating 122 store locations in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Fareway holds family values in the highest regard, demonstrating integrity, fairness, and honesty in relationships with customers, employees, vendors, and suppliers. Visit Fareway.com for more information.