Sparks, Steel and Opportunity: How a New NICC Partnership is Shaping the Future for Crestwood High Students

High school is usually about figuring out what comes next. For a group of welding students at Crestwood High School, "what comes next" is already waiting for them, complete with college credit and a direct line to a career.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) is launching its very first Quality Pre-Apprenticeship (QPA) program at Crestwood High School in Cresco. By bringing advanced, industry-aligned training directly into the high school curriculum, the initiative is designed to give local students a massive head start on their futures-while helping solve a critical workforce shortage right in their own backyard.

Bridging the Gap from Classroom to Career

For many high schoolers, the transition to the "real world" can feel daunting. The QPA program is designed to completely dismantle those barriers by serving as a supportive, hands-on bridge into high-demand industrial careers.

Through concurrent enrollment, Crestwood students can earn college credits and official certifications from NICC. They are diving deep into the technical skills that modern manufacturers look for, covering everything from Blueprint Reading to advanced Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) and plasma cutting.

But the program goes far beyond learning how to lay a perfect weld bead. Students are also paired with a college and career coach who works with them one-on-one, polishing resumes and running through mock interviews so they are completely work-ready on day one.

"Students gain the skills, confidence, industry credentials and support systems needed to successfully transition into high-demand careers, while businesses benefit from a stronger pipeline of trained, work-ready talent," says Erin Powers Daley, NICC's executive director of workforce and programming initiatives. "When education, industry and community partners work together, we are building a stronger workforce and stronger communities."

A Community Leaning Together

The true magic of the program lies in its local partnerships. NICC and Crestwood High School have teamed up with local manufacturing cornerstone Featherlite Trailers to give students actual industry exposure, including invaluable on-the-job shadowing.

For Crestwood High School Principal Neal Bentley, this teamwork is exactly what makes the community special.
"As a community, the more we lean on each other, the stronger our outcomes will be," Bentley says. "Both NICC and Featherlite have been terrific partners throughout the planning stages. We look forward to what our students will accomplish!"

What Comes Next? You Choose.

One of the best features of the new QPA is its flexibility. Once a student completes the program, their path is entirely up to them. They can step straight into immediate, well-paying local employment, transition into a formal registered apprenticeship or bring those earned credits to NICC to complete a full Welding diploma or degree.

Shannon Westin, Director of Human Resources at Featherlite Trailers, sees the program as a win-win for the region's youth and local economy.

"We have created a pathway that equips high school students with industry-recognized skills, valuable real-world experience and the confidence needed to pursue successful careers," Westin says. "We are proud of the opportunities this program provides and excited to see students contribute to the skilled workforce that our region depends on."

For more information about the Welding Quality Pre-Apprenticeship program, contact Erin Powers Daley at [email protected] or 563.562.3263, ext. 1147.