Reaching Success in Apprenticeship

We’re celebrating another season of successful apprenticeship graduates. These individuals come from various career paths, but this program has set up each graduate for their own success. Keep reading to hear the story of just one of these individuals.

Apprenticeship First-Hand

Meet Jacob Reeck. A graduate of our January 2021 apprenticeship class. After deciding mechanical engineering wasn’t a fit for him, he followed the recommendation of a high school classmate who was in an electrical program. Ready to shift his career path, he started the electrical program at Iowa Central, where he later was introduced to Interstates. After an internship with us, he stepped out and into our apprenticeship program in Sioux Center, IA.

His internship gave him a good idea of what it was like to work at Interstates—he worked with his friends and felt his team looked out for each other. Our team also kept track of his licensing, which was an extra perk to the program. He spent the next 3 years working hard in the program, and now he’s passed his Iowa journeyman test. As a new Journeyman Electrician, he’s located in our Fort Dodge, IA Regional Office. Reeck reflected on the program, “I work with great team members, and I’ve made many new friends along the way.”

From Class to Career

Apprenticeship is more than just classwork; it’s learning while earning. “My favorite part of the program is seeing myself continually improve on the job,” says Reeck. Each student has a mentor, called a Career Coach, to help them grow and build their career path. He added, “If you stick with it, you’ll see opportunities present themselves.” And he’s right! According to apprenticeship.gov, 94% of apprentices who complete a program retain employment after graduating. At Interstates, some team members have been here for the long haul. They started as apprentices and have worked their way up or over to achieve their career goals.

Our Recent Graduates

Each new graduating class is full of eager students who are prepared to take their journeyman test. In the last six months, we’ve graduated 19 apprentices from our in-house Department of Labor-approved apprenticeship program. Take a look at the four graduating classes and where they are now.