Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Education have announced nearly $4 million in grants to expand career academy programs at four Iowa community colleges.
The funding comes through the state’s Career Academy Incentive Fund, which supports partnerships between community colleges, local schools and businesses to provide career and technical education opportunities for high school students.
North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City will receive a $1 million grant. The funding will help establish a regional center on the NIACC campus serving students from six school districts. Plans include construction of a dedicated building for a dental hygiene career academy, renovation of space for an electrical technology program and upgrades to agriculture and machinist academies.
Northwest Iowa Community College in Rock Rapids and Eastern Iowa Community Colleges in Clinton will also receive $1 million each, while Des Moines Area Community College in Ames will receive about $776,000.
State officials say the programs help students earn industry credentials, college credit and work-based learning experience while still in high school.
