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Christopher “C.J.” Calhoun loves the sense of accomplishment that comes with checking off everything on the list he’s given daily when he shows up for work at The Nelson Company in Fairfield.
For roughly the past 17 months, Calhoun has been serving as one of the last checks on the machine shop’s production before its farm machinery parts go out the door. He cleans off any rust and paint spillage left on iron castings, oils anything that needs to be oiled, then boxes parts for shipment.
“I enjoy what I do,” Calhoun said. “There’re some things about the job that I don’t really care to do, but I do them anyways… I love working with my hands. I love putting things together.”
C.J.’s new found career came together thanks to close cooperation between Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS) and IowaWORKS in Ottumwa.
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Hundreds of Iowa high school students flooded the Iowa State Fairgrounds in April for Build My Future, an annual event designed to show students the possibilities that come with a career in the trades. IowaWORKS was there. Click the image above to watch our video.
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IWD this month announced $3.47 million in new funding designated to create or expand Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs across Iowa. Spread across two types of programs, the money is expected to support the experiences of 5,206 apprentices in a wide number of occupations.
State support for these programs comes via the Iowa Apprenticeship Act (15B) and the Iowa Registered Apprenticeship Development Fund (15C). Iowa Code Chapter 15B supports annual funding for training or ongoing costs within any active Iowa Registered Apprenticeship program. Chapter 15C assists programs that have been created or expanded to include a new program in a high-demand occupation.
The full list of 2023 awardees – 63 programs under 15B and 25 programs through 15C – can be viewed here:
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Applications are still open for a $1.5 million pool of grant money to fund programs that provide opportunities for high school students to explore their future careers.
Iowa’s Statewide Intermediary Work-based Learning Grant program is intended to help students experience one-on-one contact with potential employers and make more informed decisions about postsecondary education and careers. The new grant is open to Iowa educational organizations, community colleges, nonprofit organizations, and local workforce development boards, as well as any other entity with the capacity to provide students sustained interactions with industry or community professionals in a real worksite environment.
Grant funding may be used for expenses related to the successful implementation of a work-based learning program, including staff salary and benefits, transportation, materials and supplies, or other related expenses. Applicants are required to match at least 25 percent of the grant funds received using public funds, private donations, or in-kind contributions.
Applications will be accepted on www.IowaGrants.gov through 11:59 a.m. on June 2.
For more information about the grant, visit this link or watch a previously recorded webinar about the program.
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 More than 35,000 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.
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 Job seekers exploring new careers on IowaWORKS could see thousands of new possibilities starting next month.
Geographical Information Systems, the company that curates Iowa’s largest jobs bank, has announced that starting in June, IowaWORKS job listings will begin to include “gig” job listings, or freelance work that doesn’t involve an employer-employee relationship. The change is expected to add more than 20,000 new opportunities to the daily online list of work available to Iowans.
Linda Rouse, administrator of the IWD division that oversees IowaWORKS job centers, said the change is expected to provide new opportunities for Iowans seeking supplemental or part-time employment instead of a traditional job.
“Studies show that a many older/seasoned workers are turning to ‘gig’ work, so we hope this change will make it easier for them to find what they’re looking for,” Rouse said.
A January survey by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) estimated that roughly 26 percent of workers age 50 and older are now doing some form of freelance or contract work, as well as 32 percent of workers aged 40-49. According to the study, workers are motivated by a combination of seeking additional money and enhanced freedom that makes it easier to meet other obligations, such as serving as someone’s caretaker.
The new listings are expected to appear on IowaWORKS during the week of June 5. To search for a job, visit IowaWORKS.gov.
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 Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds this month signed a new law that will establish the Iowa Office of Apprenticeship inside IWD beginning July 1.
Starting July 1, the new office would become chiefly responsible for the registration and certification of Iowa apprenticeship.
The transition will move Iowa to become a State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA), better positioning the state to promote innovation in Registered Apprenticeships and create more efficiencies for programs that involve high school students, job seekers, and employers in occupations across the state.
“Iowa continues to be a leader in Registered Apprenticeship, and taking this critical step will make us even more competitive, innovative, and prepared to meet today’s workforce challenges,” said Gov. Reynolds. “The Iowa Office of Apprenticeship will position our state to create even more career pathways for Iowans and expand the opportunities we have helped champion as a state.”
For more information about Registered Apprenticeships, visit www.earnandlearniowa.gov.
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