Whether you develop, expand, or consolidate your business, Iowa Workforce Development has the tools employers need throughout the business cycle.
Our experts can provide one-on-one assistance with a host of questions, whether you’re looking for help with recruiting, tax credits to hire new employees, customized training opportunities, or detailed information about your labor market.
IWD is a one-stop resource for employers. Read below to see a complete list of the ways we can help you, then reach out to us via the contact information below for more details about how we can help you build Iowa’s workforce.
Connecting with Business Engagement
Employers can get direct, one-on-one support from Business Engagement.
Click to expand the links below to learn about the many different ways we can help businesses meet their workforce needs.
EXPLORING AND BUILDING
The Iowa Industrial New Jobs Training Program (260E) assists businesses creating new positions with new employee training. The Iowa Jobs Training Program (260F) provides job training services to current employees of eligible businesses. The Accelerated Career Education program (260G) assists Iowa's community colleges to either establish or expand programs that train individuals in the occupations most needed by Iowa businesses.
Annual Registered Apprenticeship grants are available to increase the number of registered apprentices in Iowa by providing training grants for small- to mid-sized registered apprenticeship programs in high-demand occupations.
Future Ready Iowa administers the Last Dollar Scholarship, which provides money to fill the gap between available financial aid and the cost of education and training for a high-demand job, as well as the Summer Youth Internship Program, which provides grants to help develop internship programs for at-risk youth.
The STEM Internship Program provides grants to Iowa employers for internship programs in STEM with a similar goal of transitioning interns to full-time employment in the state.
The Employers’ Council of Iowa (ECI) exists to guide and promote business focus, address topics of concern, and sponsor training initiatives.
SURVIVING A SLOWDOWN
MyIowaUI is a great online tool for business to use to manage their unemployment tax accounts and get questions answered by unemployment experts.
The State Information Data Exchange (SIDES) is a secure and timely way for employers and third party administrators to electronically receive and respond to the Notice of Claim.
Rapid Response teams provide early interventions to help avert potential layoffs, and immediate on-site services to assist workers facing job loss.
Under the Short-Term Compensation Program (formerly Voluntary Shared Work), work reductions are shared by reducing employees’ work hours while Unemployment Insurance (UI) partially replaces lost earnings. By avoiding layoffs, employees stay connected to their jobs and employers maintain their skilled workforce for when business improves.
Incumbent Worker Training is designed to meet the special requirements of an employer to retain a skilled workforce or avert the need to lay off employees by assisting the workers in obtaining the skills necessary to retain employment.
EXPANDING AND DEVELOPING
IowaWORKS maintains Iowa’s largest statewide job bank. Employers have the ability to recruit virtually for any open position. Visit this page for information on the IowaWORKS network across the state.
Home Base Iowa’s mission is to attract and retain Veterans, service members, and family members and connect them with Iowa businesses for new careers. The Iowa Works for Veterans Portal helps employers recruit that exact talent.
Future Ready Iowa administers grants to help employers support their employees’ Child Care needs. An Employer Innovation Fund also exists to help promote innovative training ideas.
Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services can assist an employee or potential employee with a disability, saving companies hiring and training costs while emphasizing the value of employees and building a work culture that promotes inclusiveness.
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a federal tax credit available to employers who hire eligible individuals from target groups with significant barriers to employment.
The Federal Bonding Program provides bonds for “at-risk,” hard-to-place job seekers. Employers can use the program to gain peace of mind by bonding job candidates who are considered to be higher risk.
Adult/Dislocated Worker Programs offer a variety of training options for workers to increase their marketable skills, including work-based learning options like work experiences and on-the-job training.
Iowa STEM Externships provide educators with the exposure to answer questions about real-world application and prepare students for careers they may have in the future.
Business Sector Partnerships are regional groups designed to pull community and business leaders together to identify the needs and opportunities available for improving Iowa's workforce. Iowa Workforce Development recently took over administration of the partnerships and looks forward to working with business and community leaders to help Iowa improve its workforce.
The Labor Market Information division of IWD collects, analyzes and prepares a wide array of economic statistics and information that describes geographies in terms of their industry-related data, and occupation-related data.
In conjunction with IowaWORKS, Workforce Development Boards assist Iowa employers with hiring and retaining skilled workers.
