The Quad Cities is home to one of the top 50 apprenticeship programs in the United States. Scott Community College in Bettendorf has about 120 students enrolled in its Culinary, Baking, Hospitality, and Event Planning program. And it hosted a visit by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad today.
He says apprenticeship programs like this one can help Iowa reach an important goal --having 70 percent of its workers receive at least some education beyond high school, by 2025.
Mandy Padilla is a 3rd semester student who wants to start her own company.
Diane Stanley is an instructor at Scott and she says there are many opportunities for culinary and hospitality graduates in the Quad Cities.
At the Belmont Campus, Scott Community College has a full, state-of-the-art kitchen, a bakery, and a simulated hotel suite where students practice. A large, formal banquet room doubles as a classroom.