Education and training resources
have multiplied in Iowa
State, industry initiatives promote careers in manufacturing
By Joe Gardyasz
Senior Staff Writer | Business Record
Not so long ago, the idea of helping Iowa students and young adults forge a path to manufacturing careers was still relatively uncharted territory for Iowa employers.
In the past decade or so, however, programs dedicated to promoting and advancing the industry in Iowa have been popping up faster than the proverbial widget rolling off the assembly line. They have all shared a common theme: education.
In 2005, Iowa faced the prospect of losing more than half of its advanced manufacturing jobs over the coming decade due to lack of adequately trained workers, according to a foundational study conducted for the state by the Battelle Memorial Institute. The series of reports recommended focusing on advanced manufacturing as one of several critical industry clusters for the state.
Although awareness and programs addressing manufacturing workforce in the state have multiplied over the past 15 years, a key finding from the 2005 Battelle report still rings true today:
“The biggest challenge facing advanced manufacturing firms in Iowa is the lack of adequate workforce,” according to the report, which was commissioned by the Iowa Department of Economic Development. “This involves finding sufficient entry-level workers; replacing workers nearing retirement; and finding workers to fill special needs and skills, many in traditional areas.”
The report outlined a 10-year action plan for the state. Among the 15 recommendations from the report was increasing the capacity of Iowa’s community colleges to respond to manufacturers’ workforce training needs. Since then, state leaders have largely continued carrying that baton with additional workforce training initiatives.
Here is a roundup of some other significant education and training initiatives that have played an important role in filling Iowa’s pipeline of manufacturing workers.
The statewide, integrated marketing campaign promotes careers and educational pathways in advanced manufacturing. The initiative is directed by a coalition of all 15 Iowa community colleges, the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, the private manufacturing sector and the state of Iowa. Among its offerings are a scholarship program, educators’ resources and a career pathways guide for students.
Created in 2012 with the goal of increasing STEM interest and achievement, the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council is a collaboration of bipartisan Iowa legislators, educators, businesses, nonprofits, students and families focused on improving STEM opportunities and awareness in Iowa. An overview of education programs and initiatives created through the initiative can be found on the website.
THE IOWA SKILLED WORKER AND JOB CREATION FUND
The fund was created to support worker training and job creation efforts. The allocation received by the Department of Education allows Iowa’s community colleges to serve an increased number of Iowans from all social and economic backgrounds to help them acquire the skills and industry-recognized credentials needed to secure gainful employment. The Legislature appropriated a total of $40.3 million for the fund in fiscal 2018.
Future Ready Iowa hosts an annual employer summit and offers a comprehensive website with resources for employers, educators and students.
IOWA CAREER PATHWAYS – ADVANCED MANUFACTURING
The Iowa Career Pathways project was completed in 2018 by the Iowa Department of Education, in support of the Future Ready Iowa Initiative, through a public/private collaboration with the Iowa Association of Business and Industry and Elevate Advanced Manufacturing.
IOWA WORK-BASED LEARNING CLEARING HOUSE
The Iowa Clearinghouse for Work-Based Learning connects students and employers through shared projects that give students professional experience. This can include virtual projects, internships and apprenticeships.
Iowa’s manufacturing workforce
nearly 14% smaller than in 2000
Manufacturing averaged 215,982 employees in Iowa in 2017, making it the second-largest sector in the state by employment, behind health care and social assistance, according to a 2018 report by Iowa Workforce Development.
The number of people working in manufacturing in Iowa has declined by 13.9% since 2000, when average employment was 250,850. The sector has had a modest rebound in employment since 2010, a trend that may continue as food manufacturing increases its presence in the state, according to IWD. A 10-year projection predicts that Iowa’s manufacturing sector will grow by 2% between 2016 and 2026, whereas all covered employment is projected to expand by 9.1%.