Iowa City Today

Iowa Workforce Development has launched a new Business Engagement Division, reorganizing employees around the state to create a more efficient team for assessing and resolving the workforce challenges of Iowa employers.

This launch will be accompanied by an employer outreach blitz across the state. Over the next 100 days, IWD leadership and members of the new division will deploy across Iowa to share information about available resources and provide specific points of contact for assisting employers with any workforce need.

The Division, which will be led by Division Administrator Tim Goodwin and Deputy Division Administrator Kathy Anderson, was created at the direction of Governor Kim Reynolds, who challenged IWD to design and implement a “one-stop shop” for employers – an easy-to-access system that will meet employer needs regardless of where they are in the cycle of their business lives.

A key first step involves building long-term relationships. Toward that end, IWD wants to meet with Iowa’s employers and will be reaching out to schedule in-person visits with them to evaluate any ongoing workforce needs. Employers also can sign up for a visit here. IWD experts also will follow up to provide any identified assistance during those conversations. Subject areas include:

• Exploring and building workforce (available assistance with worker training and work-based learning)
• Surviving a slowdown (rapid response team, voluntary shared work program)
• Developing, expanding, and retaining workforce (help finding more workers, expanding the pool through targeted programs and retention programs)

For more information on the workforce services available to Iowa employers, contact Business Engagement Division at iaworks@iwd.iowa.gov or by visiting their website here.

Watch the Mission Employable podcast with Deputy Division Administrator Kathy Anderson for more information about the Business Engagement Division.

For assistance, Johnson County business owners and leaders can reach out to Mace Huffman, Business Engagement Consultant at Iowa WORKS.

Location: 1700 1st Ave., Ste. 11B, Iowa City, IA 52240

Phone: 319-365-9474 ext. 31120

Email: mace.huffman@iwd.iowa.gov

Original source can be found here.