An Integrated Approach to Workforce Development February 7, 2014
An Integrated Approach to Workforce Development February 7, 2014
One of the most effective ways to end hunger is through adequate employment for the breadwinners in every family. Project IOWA works to increase access to 21st century, career track, living wage jobs for chronically under-employed and unemployed residents of Central Iowa through an intensive public-private skills training and economic development program. Since February 2012, 112 central Iowans have participated in Project IOWA’ s education programs, with 75 % accepting livingwage positions( at least $ 13.66 / hr with opportunities for advancement) with area businesses. The job retention rate for Project IOWA graduates is 87 %.
Three factors feature prominently in Project IOWA’ s early successes:
1. Project IOWA ' s origin in a model of community organizing that emphasizes building relationships over the long-term.
2. The support of central Iowa businesses, who advise on which technical skills are most desirable in the workforce, are a source of volunteer trainers, and agree to interview program graduates.
3. Project IOWA ' s workforce development approach, which combines technical skills training with a soft-skills curriculum that emphasizes emotional intelligence, communication, and workplace behavior expectations.
Relational Organizing
The concept of Project IOWA was born from a series of community listening sessions held by AMOS, a community organizing network that emphasizes“ relational organizing”, in which change is created through building public relationships between citizens with diverse interests and backgrounds.
The need for career track, living wage jobs was a common theme at these sessions, which led AMOS members to convene with important community stakeholders about the feasibility of a job-training program modeled off of the Industrial Area Foundation’ s Project Quest. Area businesses supported the concept, which led to the creation of Project IOWA in September of 2011.
Partnerships with the Business Community
The early and ongoing support of central Iowa businesses has been critical to the successes of Project Iowa. Graduates have been hired by Bridgestone, ALMACO, Vermeer, Danfoss, EFCO, ACH, Mercy and Unity Point. Up-front work with the business community helped Project Iowa determine which skill sets are currently in need and influenced the development of the skills training curriculum. Several companies have joined as hiring partners based on feedback from their existing employees who volunteered as skills mentors or attended showcases, in which Project Iowa participants practice resume and interview skills.
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