Iowa Community Colleges & Iowa State University CIRAS Collaborate for Manufacturing Consortium
As business and industry evolve at an ever-increasing pace, the next wave of change in the form of digitalization and automation, known as “Industry 4.0,” will require new processes for businesses and new skills for employees. Iowa’s Community Colleges and the Iowa State University’s Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) announced a new consortium to support the manufacturing sector in adapting to these changes. The training and awareness initiative includes partners from across the state.
“Iowa has the right mix of relationships and resources to help our manufacturers remain competitive through a global technology revolution that is transforming factory floors and jobs,” said Gov. Reynolds. “This important partnership addresses a critical need identified in the state’s Manufacturing 4.0 strategic plan by uniting key education and industry stakeholders in a comprehensive effort to prepare workers with the skills they need in an increasingly digital economy.”
A report from the Iowa Economic Development Authority “Seizing the Manufacturing 4.0 Opportunity: A Strategic Plan for Iowa’s Manufacturing Industry” called for advancing the knowledge base, expertise, and collaboration among businesses in the state. This partnership will respond to workforce, training/education and integration needs to help manufacturers strategically address technology investments, workforce pipeline, and workforce talent challenges. The Consortium will support Iowa’s manufacturers efforts to seize opportunities and remain competitive by providing consultation, education, implementation, and access to resources.
“Iowa’s 15 Community Colleges continue to lead the way in innovative and forward-thinking curriculum and training to meet the state’s workforce needs,” said Emily Shields, Executive Director of the Iowa Association of Community College Trustees. “This initiative will allow us to collaborate with experts and other partners to benefit Iowa’s economy.”
“Manufacturers are facing a wave of technology that creates significant uncertainty in how to run your business,” said Mike O’Donnell, Associate Director of CIRAS. “This partnership will help ensure that the manufacturing ecosystem in Iowa is creating clarity on how to develop your existing workforce to thrive.”
The Consortium includes key state associations and agencies who have agreed to partner for the best interest of manufacturing businesses. This unique collaboration will implement an education, awareness strategy statewide and that will lead to development of curriculum to meet training needs of all sizes of manufacturing businesses throughout Iowa. In addition to customized training for the existing workforce, the group will develop and enhance certificate, diploma, and degree programs to ensure employers have access to advanced skills training and career pathways now and in the future.
Additional Consortium Partners include:
- Association of Business and Industry
- Iowa Department of Education
- Iowa Economic Development Authority
- Iowa Workforce Development
- Professional Developers of Iowa
- Institute for Decision-Making, University of Northern Iowa
“The workplace has evolved to be technology integrated, with more and more emphasis on automation and infusion of artificial intelligence strategies,” said Jolene Rogers, Executive Director Community & Business Relations, Iowa Lakes Community College.
“Iowa Lakes will host informational meetings across the college region to keep not only manufacturers, but all businesses who are heavily investing in infusing technology into their workplace.”
Two workgroups have been developed to (1) provide consistent communication on the scope of this statewide collaboration and (2) launch Industry 4.0 Awareness Training for manufacturers which will be piloted in August.
If interested in more information on the Awareness Training, please contact Jolene Rogers, Executive Director Community & Business Relations, 712.362.0431 or email jrogers@iowalakes.educreate new email.
