The state of Iowa announced $3.4 million in grant awards to existing and new registered apprenticeship programs across the state. Nearly $3 million was awarded to 59 programs supporting 5,133 apprentices and $427,800 was awarded to 17 program sponsors that have created new apprenticeship programs in 19 new occupations. Grant funds will be managed through the Iowa Office of Apprenticeship, which is housed in Iowa Workforce Development. “Iowa made an investment to provide financial support to grow Registered Apprenticeship programs when these programs were created over 10 years ago,” Beth Townsend, executive director of Iowa Workforce Development, said in a prepared statement. “Today, we continue to see the return on that investment with increases in the number of apprentices and programs across the state as well as the expansion of this training model into nontraditional fields.” View the full list of awardees here.