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Financial Literacy Workshops: A New Tool for IowaWORKS Customers

Like most Iowa adults, Sonya Sellmeyer grew up during a time when you just didn’t talk about certain topics in the classroom – like, for example, your checkbook.

“I don’t know about you, but I know I didn’t learn anything about financial literacy in school,” said Sellmeyer, consumer advocacy officer for the Iowa Insurance Division. “But we can tell by the numbers that we continue to see in regard to consumer debt, people not contributing to their company’s 401(k) match – things like that show us there really is a big need for this.”

Sellmeyer, working as part of broader campaign across Iowa’s state government, is trying to fill that gap. Last fall, she launched a series of online financial literacy workshops that take place on the first Monday of each month at www.IowaWORKS.gov.

Click here to read more.

An Apprenticeship for Entrepreneurs

How do you learn how to run a business? Brown's Shoe Fit Co. has an innovative training program that puts apprentices on a path to store ownership. Click the image above to watch our video.

Outreach Blitz Ends After 2,687 Visits

IWD's new Business Engagement Division wrapped up its 100-day business outreach blitz at the end of 2022 but will be continually working to build stronger relationships with Iowa employers.

The original outreach ran from September through mid-December. Business Engagement team members visited companies with at least 50 employees and little recent contact with IWD.

What did we learn?

The two main workforce concerns employers raised with us involved the need for help locating potential workers and skilled workers. Companies expressed gratitude for the outreach and a strong desire to partner as they explore new workforce ideas.

IWD has a variety of tools available to help employers grow and/or retain their workforces.

If you'd like to meet with a Business Engagement Consultant, contact us by calling 1-833-469-2697 or giving us your contact information.

Iowa Expands Options, Support for Health Care Apprenticeships

Applications are now being accepted for a new $15 million round of grants targeted at growing Registered Apprenticeship programs in high-demand health care fields across Iowa.

The expanded Health Careers Registered Apprenticeship program seeks to greatly expand opportunities for health care apprenticeships in Iowa. Last year’s original incarnation of the program supported RA programs to help students pursuing nursing pathways. The newer program widens that to include EMTs, Direct Support Professionals, Behavioral Health & Substance Abuse Specialists, and other critical health care careers.

“Apprenticeships are working in Iowa and opening important doors,” Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said in announcing the program earlier this month. “We want to do everything we can to get Iowans engaged in the workforce and set up for meaningful careers.”

Iowa’s health care and social assistance industry continues to have the highest number of open jobs on IowaWorks.gov. The new round of grants is intended to support the development or expansion of health care registered apprenticeship programs that are sponsored by Iowa based nursing facilities, residential care facilities, assisted living facilities, hospitals, home health agencies, or public/private accredited Iowa high schools, community colleges, and universities.

To receive funding, the programs must provide an industry-recognized credential that can also be stackable and used to advance a career in health care. Funding priority and preference will be given to partnerships that involve accredited Iowa high schools.

Visit this page to find grant documents and information about how to apply. Applications will be accepted on IowaGrants.gov until noon on March 9.

Interested participants are encouraged to watch this previously recorded webinar about the application process. 

Learn by Listening

More than 30,000 downloads so far by listeners around the world. Hosts Ben Oldach and Kathy Leggett will introduce you to a host of workforce programs and people making a difference.

Click to download.

RCM by the Numbers

IWD career planners have had more than 24,400 meetings with clients since the Reemployment Case Management program started earlier this year, while more than 5,000 claimants have left unemployment for new careers. Click here for more information about RCM.

IWD Wins National Award for Program Putting Iowans Back to Work

A nonprofit consulting and research group last week named Iowa Workforce Development as the winner of its 2022 Full Employment Award.

The American Institute for Full Employment (AIFE) presents the award each year to one or more states or individuals that have demonstrated leading solutions to help job seekers become reemployed.

IWD was recognized for its Reemployment Case Management program, which was launched last January to provide one-on-one job search assistance for unemployed Iowans beginning with the first week they file an unemployment claim.

"The impact was immediate and clear," according to an AIFE news release. "Attendance at reemployment workshops nearly tripled, despite the state’s claims caseload dropping more than 50 percent. With more engaged and better prepared job
seekers, Iowa reduced the percentage of claimants who exhausted benefits for the 12 months ending September 30, 2022, to the second-lowest rate in the nation at 13.7 percent (compared to 24.6 percent prior to the pandemic)."

“It’s impressive to see Iowa emerge from the depths of the pandemic with new strategies that both boost reemployment outcomes for our unemployed and stabilize the economy,” said AIFE President John Courtney. “Iowa’s innovations provide timely insights for all states as they engage and equip more workers in coming years as RESEA programs grow and evolve.”

For more information, read IWD's news release on the award or visit the AIFE Awards Web Page.

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