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A recent survey of former North Iowa Area Community College Career Link (formerly Tech Prep) students from the high school Class of 2003 reveals that they earn an average hourly wage of $17.56 and that 80 percent of the students surveyed work in Iowa.  The Career Link program provides students with NIACC courses while they are still in high school.

“It’s rewarding to learn that these former students, who are now 23 years old, earn excellent wages!  In addition, I was thrilled to hear that 80 percent of those contacted live and work in Iowa.  We’ve known for years that community college graduates typically stay in the region; this new information confirms our existing belief.  The survey also reinforced a belief that students possessing technical skills gained at a community college command very respectable wages,” Jean Ostrander, NIACC Career Link and School Partnerships director, said.

The average hourly wage of the former students surveyed is $17.56.  The Iowa Department of Economic Development reports that the average hourly wage for all workers in North Iowa is $14.48.  This means that 23 year-old graduates of the Career Link program earn an average of $3.08 an hour more than the average for workers of all ages in North Iowa.

“With the rising cost of living, it is imperative to prepare students to work in fields for a wage that supports themselves as well as their families.  The NIACC Career Link program does just that by allowing high school students to get the best training possible in competitive fields,” Dr. Debra Derr, NIACC president, said.

The Class of 2003 Career Link students who work throughout Iowa, with a heavy concentration in North Iowa, are employed as information technology consultants, auto service technicians, tool and die engineers, food service managers, nurses, and in many other well-paid positions.  The students took advantage of Career Link programs, such as nursing, information technology, business, health care, automotive service technology and tool and die technology while they were still in high school.

Currently, Career Link programs are offered in 30 career areas as well as transfer classes for four-year degrees.  Career Link allows high school students to earn college credit, gain valuable experience and skills, and explore fields of study.  Career Link also helps high school students prepare for high-demand careers through hands-on experience with high-tech equipment and a risk-free look at a career. 

For more information on NIACC Career Link, visit www.niacc.edu/careerlink or call 641-422-4175 or toll-free 1-888-GO NIACC, ext. 4175.

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Source: Iowa Workforce Development Region 2 Profile, http://iwin.iwd.state.ia.us/iowa/Regions?area=000002&occtype=8&page=2