Central Iowa Workforce Development Board

November is National Military Family Appreciation Month, a time to celebrate the unwavering strength and sacrifices of military families who stand behind our nation’s service members. Did you know? Military families move 10 times more often than civilian families, creating additional barriers to consistent employment and community stability. So, as November comes to a close, we want to remind military families that CIWDB’s commitment to supporting them doesn’t end here. We’re here year-round to connect military families and veterans in Central Iowa with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed. Let’s continue to express our gratitude and work together to create opportunities for these incredible families. Learn more about how we can support military families and veterans in Central Iowa: https://lnkd.in/geht_UY2 #MilitaryFamilyMonth #CareerSupport #VeteranServices #CIWDB

?? Meet Michelle Seibert! Michelle is a Community Impact Officer at United Way of Central Iowa and a very proud member of the CIWDB. We asked her a few questions about her involvement with CIWDB and her passion for strengthening Central Iowa's workforce: ?? ???????? ???????????????? ?????? ???? ?????? "??????" ???? ?????????????? ???? ?????? ??????????? When I was approached to join CIWDB, I was immediately interested as a way of growing personally and professionally by learning more about the public workforce system and the role it plays in ensuring a robust economy here in central Iowa. Since joining, I have learned so much about the critical services and supports authorized and funded by federal workforce legislation, but also so much about the gaps in our system of supports to individuals with barriers to employment. ?? ???????? ?????????? ?????????????? ???????? ?? ???????????? ???????????? ?????? ???????? ?????????????????? ?????? ?????? ??????????????? We have it all in central Iowa – from agricultural and manufacturing work to social services, healthcare and private sector employment. It just takes organizations like CIWDB to take the mantle and serve in the role of convener to make the collaboration between employers and job seekers happen. ?? ???????? ???????????? ?????????? ?????? ???????? ???? ???????????????????? ?????????????? ???? ???????????????? ?????? ?????????? ???????????????? ?????? ?????????????????????? ?????? ?????????????????? ??????????????????????? To understand that you don't have to do recruitment and retention alone! I have the privilege of working with many nonprofits that help meet the demand for employment supports such as navigation, resume and application assistance, training and credentialing. There are so many people with a passion for helping others that employers have many resources in the community to recruit and retain the best employees in our state. You can follow Michelle to learn more about her journey as she continues to work towards a more robust workforce in Central Iowa. To learn more about the rest of CIWDB’s board and our role in empowering the job market, visit: CIWDB Board Members #WorkforceDevelopment #CommunityImpact #CareerGrowth #TalentAcquisition

CIWDB is proud to celebrate the 10th anniversary of National Apprenticeship Week! ?? Registered apprenticeships are essential to building a resilient, skilled workforce. Apprenticeships empower Iowa’s businesses by creating structured pathways to develop talent, all while offering career opportunities to job seekers across the state. With over 900 registered apprenticeship program opportunities in Iowa, apprenticeships help businesses thrive by: ? Authenticating workers in high-demand fields. ? Developing a diverse, highly-skilled workforce. ? Allowing candidates the chance to earn as they learn. ? Bridging the gap between school and employment. Ready to see how an apprenticeship program could transform your business? Learn more about becoming an apprenticeship sponsor and the benefits it can bring. ?? https://lnkd.in/gbrs3fax #NationalApprenticeshipWeek #WorkforceStrategies #IowaJobs #CIWDB

?? Meet Abigail Miller, Manager of Corporate Operations & Communications at AgCertain Industries, Inc. and a dedicated CIWDB board member! Abigail shares why she joined CIWDB and her passion for strengthening Central Iowa’s workforce: ?? ???????? ?????????? ?????????????? ???????? ?? ???????????? ???????????? ?????? ???????? ?????????????????? ?????? ?????? ??????????????? "Central Iowa has the amenities and opportunities of a large metro area, with all the benefits of a smaller community. There is a way for everyone to succeed and thrive in Central Iowa." ?? ???????? ???????????? ?????????? ?????? ???????? ???? ???????????????????? ?????????????? ???? ???????????????? ?????? ?????????? ???????????????? ?????? ?????????????????????? ?????? ?????????????????? ??????????????????????? "We have a wide variety of resources for businesses in Central Iowa.?I would encourage businesses to connect with their local IowaWorks / Iowa Workforce Development office to see what things they can take advantage of." Like our other board members, Abigail is a proud Iowan committed to supporting local talent and business growth. To learn more about CIWDB’s board and our role in empowering the job market, visit: #WorkforceDevelopment #CommunityImpact #CareerGrowth #TalentAcquisition

Wanting to learn different options available for your company to bring in Work-Based Learning opportunities? Join us on 11/14/2024 for an engaging session!

Veterans bring unmatched skills to the workforce. Yet barriers remain. After serving our country, many veterans face unique challenges when transitioning to civilian careers. Veterans who served since 2001 experience a 3.3% unemployment rate, higher than the overall veteran rate of 2.8%. Why? The roadblocks can include translating military skills to civilian roles, limited professional networks, and even service-connected disabilities that may impact job prospects. In some cases, veterans encounter biases or misunderstandings from employers who may not fully understand the value of military experience. Through our partnered resources like IowaWORKS, veterans in Central Iowa can access: ? Targeted career counseling ? Job placement assistance ? Skill translation resources ? And more! Every veteran deserves the opportunity for meaningful employment. Explore resources aimed at supporting veterans right here in Central Iowa: https://lnkd.in/diraYtm #VeteranEmployment #VeteranResources #CIWDB #LaborStatistics Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Report

Have you ever wondered which industries are driving employment in Central Iowa? Through our partnership with IowaWORKS, we're able to offer insight into which sectors of the workforce are currently thriving and how businesses can leverage this insight to strategically recruit the top talent in their area. You can read the full report, and find an extensive catalog of additional industry data to help you stay ahead of the curve in Iowa's job market, here: https://lnkd.in/eEUHsHR #CIWDB #EmploymentData #Recruitment #IndustryTrends #IowaWorkforce

The Perry Job Fair is still seeking business employers for their event! Sign up here to showcase your employment opportunities and connect with job candidates: https://lnkd.in/g-wFYQ9Q #PerryJobFair #BusinessRecruitment #IowaJobFair #WorkforceDevelopment

Are you utilizing of Iowa's best employer resources for business support and growth? Here's how Iowa Workforce Development can help! IWD has the tools employers need to help with workforce challenges, including: ?Recruitment support to quickly find talent ?Access to tax credits that make hiring new employees more affordable ?Customized training programs designed to boost productivity and skills ?Labor market data that gives you insight into industry trends and workforce needs IWD gives you access to one-on-one assistance for all of your business needs. With IWD, you’re not just getting resources—you’re getting a partner committed to helping Iowa businesses thrive. Discover how IWD can support your hiring, training, and development needs right here: https://lnkd.in/giNp7JGE

Did you know: CIWDB is one of six Iowa Workforce Development areas designated by the Governor? At Central Iowa Workforce Development Board, we are part of a powerful network of resources aimed at connecting job-seekers to businesses and employers (and vice-versa). Here's the breakdown of how we work with other agencies to keep Iowa's workforce thriving: ?? CIWDB - At the local level, we design the local workforce system for the counties of Boone, Story, Dallas, Polk, Jasper, Madison, Warren, and Marion. ?? IowaWORKS - We provide local oversight to the IowaWORKS Des Moines office on Army Post Rd. The local Des Moines offices provides comprehensive employment services and career development support at no cost to all Iowans living in the counties we serve. As a result of federal Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) legislation, we can combine local and state resources to provide a one-stop-solution for employment and workforce development in Central Iowa! #WorkforceDevelopment #CIWDB #RecruitmentStrategies #AmericanJobCenter #IowaWorks