Southeast Polk Senior Chase Burke and 2025 Grad Cooper Bernstein had the amazing opportunity to participate in the Day on the Hill on Monday, January 26, 2026. Sponsored by the AEA, IASB, and SAI, a limited number of schools that applied were chosen to showcase their program in the rotunda of the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines.

Chase and Cooper were accompanied by Southeast Polk’s Industrial Technology Teacher Ryan Andersen and Pk-12 College and Career Coordinator Darell Butcher. They spoke with a variety of people, including school administrators, school board members, AEA’s and legislators. Chase, who is currently in our Occupational Experience class and a Sheet Metal Workers Local 45 member, and Cooper, who is working as a 1st-year apprentice with the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union 33,  showcased our amazing Registered Apprenticeship program, highlighting our new Skilled Trades Extension Center. The center is designed to give SEP students invaluable, hands-on experiences in areas like Construction Technology, Electrical, HVAC & Plumbing, and Introduction to Apprenticeship — all programs authorized by the Iowa Office of Apprenticeship.

This event provided a great opportunity to showcase the success our students are experiencing with our Apprenticeship Program. We’re seeing an increase in the number of students taking the classes and success in the industry for our graduates.

Thanks to everyone who made this opportunity possible and congratulations to Chase and Cooper for being amazing representatives for Southeast Polk.

To learn more about these unique opportunities at SEP, go to our College and Career Readiness webpage and scroll down to Post Secondary Options and Registered Apprenticeships: https://www.southeastpolk.org/college-career-readiness/