On April 22, Ottumwa High School iJAG students participated in Signing Day at the Build My Future event in Des Moines, hosted by Iowa Skilled Trades. Three seniors—Clayten Carlburg, Neo Guida, and Ailin Boton Meneces—signed letters of intent to begin skilled trades apprenticeships this summer, supported by Ottumwa Job Corps and Indian Hills Community College.
The students are part of the iJAG program, which connects youth with career pathways through leadership development and job training. This year’s event brought together over 2,000 iJAG students statewide to explore high-demand trades like welding, healthcare, and construction.
With post-graduation support from OJC and iJAG, these students will begin their skilled trades
apprenticeship this summer:
○ Clayten Carlburg – Welding Apprenticeship with Indian Hills Community College (IHCC)
○ Neo Guida – Welding Apprenticeship with IHCC
○ Ailin Boton Meneces – Healthcare Apprenticeship
iJAG is a statewide in-school leadership development program that helps students discover, plan
and prepare for a career through career exploration, work-based learning, skill development and
tailored guidance. In cooperation with OJC, iJAG helped connect the students to their skilled
trades apprenticeship as part of their path to full-time employment.
○ Carlburg, Guida and Menecas are three of 14 iJAG students who participated in Signing
Day.
Build My Future is an annual hands-on event hosted by Iowa Skilled Trades in partnership with iJAG, schools, and employers to promote careers in skilled trades such as welding, carpentry, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work. In 2025, over 2,000 iJAG students from 76 programs participated. Governor Kim Reynolds has regularly attended, highlighting the state’s support for workforce development.
About iJAG
iJAG (Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates) is a nonprofit that partners with schools to deliver career-focused education for students in grades 6–12. It serves over 10,000 youth through 180 programs in 119 schools across Iowa. iJAG students are more likely to graduate and pursue college or employment compared to non-participants.
Learn more at iJAG.org.
“Clayton Carlberg”
Clayton Carlberg of Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG) at Ottumwa High School has declared he
will begin a welding apprenticeship after graduation. Pictured is Carlberg with a representative from
Ottumwa Jobs Corps who partnered with iJAG to coordinate the apprenticeship.
“Ailin Boton Meneces”
Ailin Boton Meneces of Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG) at Ottumwa High School has declared
she will begin a healthcare apprenticeship after graduation. Pictured is Meneces with a representative
from Ottumwa Jobs Corps (right) who partnered with iJAG Specialist Amber Heckart (left) to coordinate
the apprenticeship.
“Ottumwa Group”
Three Ottumwa (two pictured) students part of Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates at Ottumwa High
School hold certificates to declare they will begin a skilled trades apprenticeship after graduation in May.
