Iowa Work-Based Learning Newsletter
 Contact: Kelli Diemer, Iowa Dept. of Education Work-Based Learning Consultant, kelli.diemer@iowa.gov or 515-281-3615
Welcome
to the first Iowa Work-Based Learning Newsletter. There are so many
exciting opportunities for students to engage with business and
industry, and this newsletter will highlight examples of work-based learning experiences across the state. In addition, professional development opportunities and
Iowa Department of Education updates will be included.
Work-based
learning is a major theme in both the proposed language for Perkins re
authorization and Iowa’s CTE Redesign bill. Experiences for students
ranging from tours and speakers to job shadows and internships are
important for engaging our students to make lifelong career choices.
With the Statewide Intermediary Network, all schools have a resource
person in each region to help make these connections and bring these
experiences to our students. In addition, the Iowa Work-Based Learning
Coordinators Organization is an essential professional opportunity for
our teacher-coordinators to learn and collaborate with others. At the state level, Iowa is developing efforts to define, enhance, elevate, measure, and scale work-based learning through the National Governors' Association (NGA) Policy Academy Grant. Iowa is one of six states nationwide that has received this grant. Please
contact me with any questions or concerns regarding these monthly
newsletters.
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Work-based learning is defined as opportunities and experiences that includes tours, job shadowing, rotations, mentoring, entrepreneurship, service learning, internships, and apprenticeships. The NGA Work-Based Learning Policy Academy Grant is developing a statewide definition for what constitutes high quality work-based learning.
Contact: Mindi Heitland, President, mheitland@waukeeschools.org or 515-987-5163 x2402
Hello! As the incoming president of the Iowa Work-Based Learning (IWBL) Coordinators organization, I would like to take this moment to thank our board members for their hard work and commitment this past year. I am honored to work with such a great group of talented individuals who are dedicated and engaged in promoting work-based learning in Iowa. I consider myself very fortunate to have this opportunity to represent our members and will work hard to meet your expectations.
It is an exciting time for work-based learning and career and technical education in our state! With the Secondary CTE Redesign, I know many schools are looking for guidance on how to meet the needs of students as well as fulfill the requirements. It is our hope that we can use communication by the IWBL organization to better streamline important information to you as well as answer questions you may have.
The Iowa Work-Based Learning (IWBL) Coordinators organization is once again in the process of preparing for the annual conference to be held this spring in the Des Moines area. Over the next few months, the IWBL website will be developed with the end goal of a common place for work-based learning educators to collaborate, find new ideas, and ask questions. In addition, our statewide intermediary network is up and running as a great resource for schools interested in increasing their work-based learning opportunities in the high school setting. I would encourage you to contact your local intermediary to see how you can collaborate.
Over the next year, IWBL will focus on engaging our membership, continuing to grow our annual conference, and offering more resources that are reflective of what our membership has requested. We will continue to increase our visibility in the community and listen to our members to give you what you need to be successful in work-based learning. Please feel free to contact me at any time at 515-987-5163 x2402 or mheitland@waukeeschools.org with any questions you may have!
The Iowa Work-Based Learning Coordinators Organization is sponsoring a competition for secondary students to design a logo that represents the IWBL Organization. Official rules and contest information is available here.
The Intermediary Network prepares students for the workforce by connecting business and education by offering relevant, work-based learning activities to students and teachers. The Statewide Intermediary Network is comprised of fifteen regional work-based learning Intermediary networks that are defined as community college regions. The Intermediary regional contacts do not take the place of an educator, their role is to be a resource for setting up tours, arranging speakers, organizing job shadows, etc. To find your regional Intermediary contact, click here.
Statewide Intermediary Network News
 Contact: Laurie Worden, Workplace Learning Connection, laurie.worden@kirkwood.edu or 319-398-4826
What were you doing the summer before your junior year in high school? Amber Rohlena, of Benton Community High School, Van Horne, Iowa, was putting her knowledge and skills to work as a summer intern at Johnson Gas Appliance Company.
"When I started looking at internship opportunities, I was looking at a bigger company but then I saw the opportunity at Johnson Gas. They were a smaller company and it referenced working with Computer Aided Design (CAD). I had taken a few Project Lead The Way (PLTW) classes (Intro to Technology and Intro to Engineering Design) where I learned about and used CAD. I also used CAD a lot in my Robotics club and I really liked it. So I went for it. I am glad I did!" Dan Hodel, Amber's internship supervisor at Johnson Gas, is really glad she did too! "Our experience with Amber has had a dramatic impact on our whole division! During her internship she was part of a huge project where we were experimenting with a new software." According to Dan, it was through Amber and this project they were able to prove the effectiveness of this software." Her success was a major factor in convincing corporate management to buy the new software licenses for our division.
Since completing her summer 2015 internship, Johnson Gas hired Amber as a part-time employee during the 2015-16 school year and she continues to working on small projects from home during the current school year. "I love how flexible Johnson Gas has been. It really helps since I am still in high school."
As for the future, Amber, now a senior, says "It did make me start to think about other aspects of engineering. I definitely plan on going to college next year." Amber says she has narrowed down her college choices but regardless where she lands next fall all agree, her experience with Johnson Gas was a building block for a very bright future!
Amber is just one of the many success stories that got their start through the work-based learning programs of Kirkwood Community College’s intermediary, Workplace Learning Connection. Check out their work at www.workplace-learning.org or like them on Facebook!
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Contact: Ann Schlapia, Workplace Learning Network Coordinator, schlapia@swcciowa.edu 641-782-1573
Five Red Oak teachers took advantage of their summer break to gain knowledge for the classroom through personal experience in the 2016 Real World Teacher Externship course. Externship participants included Deb Blomstedt, Brett Eubank, Brandon Jansen, Cheri McFarland and Bob Peterson.
“Externships provide teachers with opportunities to gain ‘real world’ experiences, earn credits toward their license renewal and take new ideas back to their classroom curriculum,” Ann Schlapia, SWCC WLN coordinator explained. “The benefits of a teacher completing an externship are numerous.” “This was a great experience, because we have standards as to what the colleges expect the students to know before attending, but businesses are all different,” stated Jansen. “This gave me a sense of what some of the business around my area are looking for in students coming out of high school. I found out that the most important skills to have are problem solving skills and communication skills.”
Peterson’s externship experience produced similar results. “In talking with the employer, I learned what new employees lack most often. Simple measurement skills came up again and again and the ability to read a ruler,” stated Peterson. “The ability to problem solve on the job and soft skills like communication were another.”
“I am very thankful that Southern Hills Veterinary Services, SWCC Red Oak Center, Montgomery County Family YMCA, Red Oak Wastewater Department, Mark Jackson’s Hardware Hank, United Farmers Mercantile, Bank Iowa and Red Oak Fabrication allowed the teachers to work with them. The externship would not be possible without the great support from local business and industry serving as hosts for the teachers,” explained Schlapia. “We can develop solid lesson plans that include skills in areas like communication, team work, leadership skills, creative thinking, problem solving, and technical skills,” said McFarland. “There is no better way for students to learn about career options than to be able to hear and see information pertaining to a career, with an opportunity for a hands-on experience. Taking the time to take students on tours of businesses in your community can open new ideas and dreams.”
Contact: Molly Hamilton, Intermediary Connections Coordinator, mhamilton@iowalakes.edu or 712-362-0441
The Graettinger-Terril-Ruthven-Aryshire School District partnered with their local Intermediary at Iowa Lakes Community College to kick off their year with career learning activities for Freshman-Senior students.
This was the first year for Titan Life, which gives unique opportunities for each grade of students to explore different career opportunities and learn more about careers in their local communities. Freshman students attended a resume and cover letter workshop and then created their own, putting it all together to do two mock interviews with local business people. These students also attended business tours within their community at Energy Panel Structures (EPS) and Shavers.
Sophomore students participated in career panel opportunities to learn from a variety of employers about their experiences and business. They then toured businesses in the Spencer and Spirit Lake area (Person Lakes Art Center, Spencer Hospital, and TecTon Industries). Sophomore students also updated their resumes and cover letters before completing a mock interview as well.
The Junior students started their week by touring Poet Biorefining, SBEMCO Matting By Design, and American Power Inc. in the Emmetsburg and Algona area. Students also completed a Leadership Workshop and Colors Training to learn more about personalities and how they affect the workplace. The Junior Class rounded out their week by listening to a career panel discuss their work experience.
The Senior students participated in a job shadow experience allowing them to get hands-on experience in a business. They then completed college and career research to prepare them for the Game of Life: Financial Literacy event that had them speaking with local businesses to set up a budget and figure out their monthly spending. It also gave students the opportunity to speak with Bank Plus about student loan/credit card debt and learn about retirement and savings.
Contact: Nathan Miller, Intermediary Coordinator, nathan.miller@indianhills.edu, 641-683-5309
Sixty-five educators from Southeast Iowa, ranging from elementary, middle school and high school teachers, counselors and school administrators, completed a four-day workshops on June 13-16 and June 27-30, designed to give them a better understanding of the future of technology and the needs of the changing workforce.
Indian Hills Community College and Opportunity2, a regional economic development organization comprised of Appanoose, Davis, Jefferson, Keokuk, Mahaska, Monroe and Wapello counties combined to sponsor the professional development opportunity which included tours and presentations at area businesses and industries, highlighting advanced manufacturing careers. John Deere Ottumwa Works, Ottumwa Courier, Clow Valve, Ajinomoto, Sinclair Tractor, Interpower, C&C Manufacturing, Davis County Hospital and Agri-Industrial Plastics were some of the businesses visited. The groups also learned about collaboration with Ottumwa Iowa Works to enhance 21st century skills and community assistance as well as toured the Iowa Bio-Processing Training Center and the Regional Entrepreneurship Center operated by Indian Hills.
“This educational experience was extremely positive,” said Karen Swanson, Director of High School Programs at IHCC. “Those who attended left wanting to be ambassadors for the area businesses and industries, and I think they feel like they have a responsibility to get the message out about what the current and future workforce needs are and the job-seeking skills needed by students.”
Swanson noted the attendees were exposed to a variety of different employment opportunities in the area and were made aware of the critical need to infuse soft skills - things like having the proper attitude, showing up on time and possessing a solid work ethic - along with course content to students.
“I feel like we made some great connections with the places we visited and they emphasized their desire to fill their workforces with local workers,” Swanson said.
Contact: Annette Greenwood, NIACC Career Connections Coordinator, Annette.Greenwood@niacc.edu or 641-422-4077
Minds On! Hands On! Camp provided an opportunity to introduce girls to technology and industrial careers they may not have imagined. NIACC Career Connections – A member of the Iowa Intermediary Network, and NIACC Career Link partnered to provide this experience to high school girls in our region.
This summer the focus was designing a product using AutoCAD, fabrication using a CNC Plasma Cutter and welding techniques. Throughout the two day camp, certified instructors guided the girls through hands on experiences with AutoCAD and their first experience welding. They first used a virtual welder and then each girl eagerly completed M.I.G. welds in the booth. The girls created their own design for a picture frame, cut the frame from steel sheets, smoothed the edges with a grinder and welded on a stand. Campers were also introduced, via a walking tour, to all industrial programs NIACC offers.
NIACC Career Connections arranged tours with two local businesses. Glory Welding specializes in fabrication, repair and ornamental ironwork. The owner shared his background, training, experiences as an entrepreneur, projects he designed and created, and various metals he has worked with. FRC Components produces airplane parts. FRC has hired NIACC graduates from the industrial programs and employs several women. The plant manager briefly shared information about all positions within the company and the training or education required. The girls were able to see how the training from the industrial programs is put into action.
The camp will be held again next summer with a different industrial focus. The girls participating in Minds On! Hands On! will be given more opportunities throughout the school year (tours, job shadows, etc.).
Kelli Diemer
Business and Marketing Education Consultant
Iowa Intermediary Network/Iowa Work-Based Learning
Bureau of Career and Technical Education
Division of Community Colleges & Workforce Preparation
515-281-3615 (office)5
515-242-5988 (fax)
kelli.diemer@iowa.gov
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