Iowa Lakes Plans to Enroll 100 People in 100 Days Using $100,000 Employer Innovation Grant
(Estherville, Iowa) Iowa Lakes Community College proposes to enroll 100 people in 100 days in courses providing industry-recognized certifications using a grant awarded for $100,000 from Future Ready Iowa’s Coronavirus Relief Employer Innovation Fund starting immediately.
“This project offers individuals displaced from COVID-19 or affected by stresses related to the virus the opportunity to improve job situations through essential skills and technical courses,” explains Jolene Rogers, the Iowa Lakes Executive Director of Community and Business Relations. “Our goal is to help a minimum of 100 individuals complete at least one class and earn an industry certification.”
The 100 People in 100 Days project builds on existing pathways for training in agriculture, energy, and manufacturing sectors at Iowa Lakes. The project results from a collaboration between areas businesses, local economic development corporations, and support agencies, including Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation and Iowa Works.
“The Future Ready Iowa Employer Innovation Fund is centered around a grassroots effort to solve local workforce challenges while helping Iowans find economic opportunity in their community. The winning projects address barriers for Iowans who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic by providing training opportunities that will build on our economic recovery,” said Gov. Reynolds. “These programs not only help those affected by the pandemic, but they will also focus on recruiting our minority and underrepresented communities to help us diversify our workforce and provide equal chances of success for all Iowans.”
Iowa Lakes Continuing Education staff have secured instructors for the short-term training identified by key businesses and Iowa Works. Participants will meet with Career Coaches to ensure they enroll in career pathway courses, which will prepare them for entry into the workforce at the end of their training program. Local employers have expressed a high level of interest in securing new employees, and mock interviews will be hosted to help prepare participants for actual jobs at the end of the training.
Twenty-seven different options ranging from 8 hours to 88 hours of instructional time for the 100 People in 100 Days Project include an Intro to Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Basic Wiring, Industrial Maintenance, Welding, Drone Licensure prep and applications, Commercial Applicator, and more.
Industry certifications that may be available upon completion of relevant courses include American Welding Society, Global Wind Organization Safety Certification, Working at Heights, Torque, Multimeter, Precision Measurement, and Tools at Height.
If interested in participating in the 100 People in 100 Days project, sign up online at www.iowalakes.edu/ce.
For More Information:
Jolene Rogers, Iowa Lakes Executive Director of Community & Business Relations, at jrogers@iowalakes.educreate new email or 712-362-0431 or
Dan Lutat, Iowa Lakes Director of Government Affairs/Special Projects at dlutat@iowalakes.educreate new email or 712-362-8374.
