The Center of Workforce Innovations (CWI) is proud to announce its partnership with the Indiana Arborist Association (IAA) to launch a three-year apprenticeship, made possible through a $250,000 grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources' Community and Urban Forestry program.
This pioneering initiative is designed to offer historically marginalized communities within the region the support and training necessary to become arborists. The program will provide apprentices with competitive starting wages beginning at $17 per hour, with the potential for salaries to rise to $22 per hour. Participants will be qualified to take the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) arborist certification exam upon completion.
Those interested in learning more about this unique career opportunity are invited to attend the kick-off recruitment event on September 5, 2024, at WorkOne Michigan City, located at 301 E 8th St., from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Following the festivities, there will be a live arborist demonstration from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Washington Park, 115 Lakeshore Drive, Michigan City.
The apprenticeship represents a significant step forward in advancing workforce development while creating new opportunities for aspiring arborists in Northwest Indiana.