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Iowa Workforce Development Holds Events Throughout the State to Honor Veterans
DES MOINES – In recognition of Veterans Day, Iowa Workforce Development is holding events throughout Iowa to recognize veterans and to help veterans find employment.
IWD offers numerous programs and services at its one-stop IowaWORKS offices throughout the state. Veteran Representatives in the IowaWORKS offices provide veterans and clients of Veterans Administration Vocational Rehabilitation with the following services:
- Home Base Iowa, Iowa’s award-winning innovative program to help veterans find jobs in Iowa
- Conduct job searches
- Develop job interviewing and resume writing skills
- Help place eligible veterans in federally-funded employment and training programs
- Monitor job listings from federal agencies and federal contractors to ensure veterans receive priority service when referred for these jobs
- Provide intensive services to meet the employment needs of eligible veterans
IWD Director Beth Townsend said veterans are an important asset to Iowa’s workforce. Townsend retired from the Air Force Reserve in 2010 as a Lieutenant Colonel after 21 years of active and reserve duty.
“Veterans have demonstrated the dedication and commitment that are essential to be a successful employee,” Townsend said. “Iowa Workforce Development is committed to helping veterans make a successful transition to civilian life by helping them find gainful employment. Through Home Base Iowa and the services we offer at our IowaWORKS offices, we want to be the ‘State of Choice’ for veterans and transitioning service members for employment and educational opportunities.”
According to Wallet Hubs 2016’s Best & Worst States for Military Retirees, Iowa ranked first in the nation in the categories of Most Veteran Job Opportunities and Most Affordable Housing. Additionally, Iowa ranked third in the category of Lowest Percentage of Homeless Veterans. In 2014, Iowa passed legislation known as the Home Base Iowa Act, which provides the following incentives for veterans:
- Military Pension Income Tax Exemption - fully exempts military pensions from state income tax
- Permissive Veterans Hiring Preference - allows veterans preferential treatment in hiring decisions for both public and private organizations
- Military Homeownership Assistance Program - provides veterans up to $7,500 toward down payment or closing costs of a home by using the Iowa Finance Authority program
- Higher Education Incentives – provides automatic, in-state tuition to veterans, their spouse and their dependents
Veterans currently living in Iowa or who want to relocate to Iowa can upload their resume at the Home Base Iowa website at www.homebaseiowa.gov.
Because Veterans Day is a federal holiday, all IowaWORKS offices will be closed on Friday, Nov. 11. The following Veterans Day events are being coordinated by IWD staff and are scheduled prior to the official Veterans Day observation.
Burlington
Event: Veterans Day Luncheon
Date: Thursday, Nov. 10
Time: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Location: IowaWORKS office, 1000 N. Roosevelt, Burlington
Details: An honor and celebration for all veterans and their families, service organizations, employers and partners. The Burlington staff and families are providing a home cooked meal for all in attendance, an eight-year tradition. Meet our teams, partners, veteran organization representatives, community and employers who support veterans and their families. Resources and information will be available.
RSVP: Email Carolyn Farley at carolyn.farley@iwd.iowa.gov or call her at 319-753-1671 ext. 30352.
Cedar Rapids
Event: Veterans Employment Rights Education
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 9
Time: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Location: Veterans Memorial Building, 50 2nd Avenue Bridge, 4th Floor, Cedar Rapids
Details: Sponsored by Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission, U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Northern District, Linn County Veterans Affairs, IowaWORKS and the ESGR – Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, offer a round table discussion on rights under ADA, USERRA, Home Base Iowa initiative and other employment resources for the public, veterans and employers.
RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/veterans-employment-rights-education-tickets-27584143917?aff=eac2
Creston
Event: Veterans Day Event
Date: Friday, Nov. 11
Time: 2:15 p.m.
Location: Creston High School Gymnasium, 601 W. Townline, Creston
Details: Community event held at Creston High School honoring local Veterans. The event will include a musical program, readings, and presentations by local high school students and community members. Open to the public.
Contact: No RSVP required. For more information contact Cassie Randall (641) 782-2119 ext. 42.
Davenport
Event: Salute to Veterans Open House
Date: Thursday, Nov. 10
Time: 9 a.m.–Noon
Location: Davenport IowaWORKS office, 902 W. Kimberly Rd., Suite 51, Davenport
Details: An open house event for veterans and their families, service organizations, employers and the community. Resources from the Vet Center, Goodwill HVRP program VA Community Resource and Referral, VALOR Program, Military Cost Cutters, Family Assistance Center, County Veteran Services, and Veteran counselors from Scott Community College and St. Ambrose University. Refreshment provided.
RSVP: Latecia Braud at latecia.braud@iwd.iowa.gov or 563-445-3200 ext. 43317.
Denison
Event: Veterans Appreciation Past, Present & Future
Date: Thursday, Nov. 10
Time: 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Location: Denison Workforce Transition Center, 19 Hwy 39 N, Denison
Details: Monica Walley will speak about her experience in the military. Current veterans serving our country, sharing with those considering serving our country in the future and Staff Sergeant Aaron Helmrich will speak about the benefits of serving.
RSVP: No RSVP required. For more information contact Sherri Vaughn at sherri.vaughn@iwd.iowa.gov.
Des Moines
Event: Veteran Recognition and Apprenticeship Informational Session
Date: Thursday, Nov. 10
Time: 9:30-11 a.m.
Location: Polk County River Place, 2309 Euclid Avenue, Des Moines
Details: With the ever growing demand of skilled workers in every business sector, apprenticeship can be a way for businesses to recruit, train, and retain skilled employees. Along with discussing the benefits of apprenticeships, we will also provide information regarding military veteran job seekers and individuals currently exiting Iowa’s correctional facilities. These populations of job seekers come with many skills that, if given the opportunity, could help many businesses grow. There will be representatives from the Iowa Office of Apprenticeship, Advisors from the Re-Entry Program with Iowa Correctional Facilities, and the IowaWORKS Central Iowa Center to help inform and answer questions you may have.
Dubuque
Event: Employers Optimizing Veteran Talent
Date: Thursday, Nov. 10
Time: 8 a.m-1 p.m.
Location: Army National Guard, 5001 Old Highway Road, Dubuque
Details: A business leader’s guide to tapping into the veteran talent pool. Employers will gain insight to recruiting and retaining military talent from a panel of distinguished local veterans. Topics include: Decoding the Veteran Resume, Home Base Iowa and Demystifying PTSD in the Workplace.
RSVP: Please pre-register for the free event by contacting Katherine Bahl at katherine.bahl@iwd.iowa.gov.
Fort Dodge
Event: Veterans Appreciation Day Resource Fair and Reception
Date: Thursday, Nov. 10
Time: 9-11 a.m.
Location: Fort Dodge IowaWORKS office, 3 Triton Circle, Fort Dodge
Details: Veteran service providers will have informational tables promoting resources that are available to veterans. There will also be a reception room for veterans and the service providers that will have refreshments donated by IowaWORKS staff. All veterans are welcome to attend.
RSVP: For further information regarding the Resource Fair or reception, please contact Cathy Nelson-Schoon at 515-576-3131 ext. 47319 or catherine.nelson-schoon@iwd.iowa.gov or Heather Warren at heather.warren@iwd.iowa.gov.
Marshalltown
Event: Veterans Appreciation Day
Date: Thursday, Nov. 10
Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location: Marshalltown IowaWORKS office, 3405 S. Center St., Marshalltown
Details: Appreciation event for veterans. There will be a table with resources and free services for veterans. Coffee and desserts will be provided. “Vet-Friendly” employers who are hiring will be available.
RSVP: Neysa Hartzler at 641-844-6995 or neysa.hartzler@iwd.iowa.gov.
Omaha
Event: VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System STAND DOWN
Date: Thursday, Nov. 10
Time: 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Location: Grace University Field House, 820 Pine St., Omaha
Details: For homeless Veterans eligible for VA health care. Free health care services will be available along with other services including drug and alcohol counseling, suicide prevention, veteran assistance agencies/employment assistance, clothing, health screening, eye exams, benefit information, Chaplains, and foot care. Lunch will be served.
RSVP: Registration is encouraged by calling your local VA business office.
Oskaloosa
Event: Job Fair
Date: Thursday, Nov. 10
Time: 4-6 p.m.
Location: Penn Central Mall, 200 High Ave. West, Oskaloosa
Details: IowaWORKS in cooperation with Mahaska County Rural Development and the Iowa National Guard is hosting a job fair with over 50 employers expected in attendance. Veterans will be treated to a hospitality room including refreshments. Veterans will have the opportunity to receive resume assistance and to network with employers and other veterans.
Contact: Contact Amy Brink at 641-684-5401 ext. 40010 for more information.
Sioux City
Event: Open House for Veterans
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 9
Time: 1-3 p.m.
Location: IowaWORKS of Greater Siouxland, 2508 4th Street, Sioux City
Details: Staff will be hosting an open house for veteran. Veterans can take a tour of the building, meet the staff, and learn more about all of the services that Iowa Workforce Development provides. There will be light refreshments and donated door prizes for those who attend.
Contact: No need to RSVP. Contact John Hessa at 712-233-9030 if you have questions.
Spencer
Event: Veteran Appreciation Day
Date: Thursday, Nov. 10
Time: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Location: Spencer Hy-Vee Meeting Room, 819 Grand Ave, Spencer
Details: Veteran panel and taco bar. A veteran panel will answer questions about how they transitioned from active duty to the civilian world and the challenges they faced finding employment.
RSVP: Heather Warren 712-262-1971 ext. 42005 or heather.warren@iwd.iowa.gov.
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An Equal Opportunity Employer/Program
Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request for individuals with disabilities.
www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov
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