KENT Partners with High School on Technology Apprenticeship
MUSCATINE, Iowa (January 31, 2023) – After signing the U.S. Department of Labor’s employer participation agreement for a high school registered apprenticeship program in the STEM field–specifically, for an Information Technology specialist–KENT and MHS are teaming up to give junior Drake Minder an opportunity to grow his talent and build his future.
“I have wanted to pursue a career in computer science since I was in 8th grade and this apprenticeship is going prepare me for my future and set me apart from my peers. I cannot wait to see where it takes me,” said Minder.
Minder, who is incredibly passionate about network and computer systems, is thrilled to join the KENT family as the company’s first-ever apprentice.
Minder will join KENT as the 2022-2023 school year wraps up, and he will work full-time through the end of summer. Then, he will return to KENT his senior year and put in approximately 20 hours each week.
According to MHS’s school counselor Brandon Welsch, the apprenticeship program is a ‘win-win’ for the school district and the community.
“Our students will now have an opportunity to gain hands-on work experience and we love to see Muskies contributing to the community where they live,” said Welsch.
“At KENT, we focus our efforts on applying our core value of working for the ‘win-win’ and this first-of-its-kind apprenticeship with MHS does just that. This program will help us attract new talent by establishing a local hiring pipeline all while providing students a path to success,” said corporate spokesperson and VP of Human Resources Carol Reynolds.
Together, KENT and MHS are committed to delivering a rewarding and enriching experience to help Drake Minder—and students who come after him—flourish.
MHS junior Drake Minder is pictured above alongside Gage Kent, Chairman and CEO of KENT Corporation
About KENT® Corporation
KENT is a diversified, privately-held corporation with operating subsidiaries involved in corn wet milling, the production of animal nutrition and the manufacture of high-quality food, beverage, pharmaceutical and pet products. KENT is led by third-generation family member Gage A. Kent. The KENT family of companies serves customers across the world and employs more than 2,000 people in 40 locations across 20 states and seven countries.