Iowa is committed to providing quality employment and training services to all veterans, transitioning service members, and their spouses through our IowaWORKS centers around the state. We do this by bringing veterans and employers together and capitalizing on the various workforce programs, incentives, and initiatives available in Iowa.
Resources for Employers can be found lower down on this page.
Veterans in search of a new career can receive assistance from multiple resources:
IowaWORKS VETERANS PORTAL
The IowaWORKS for Veterans Portal is your pathway to finding new opportunities in Iowa! If you're a Veteran, transitioning service member, or a military spouse, the portal is your gateway to Iowa's largest bank of online job listings. Training and workshop resources are available to improve job-hunting skills. Veteran-friendly employers also can use the portal to sort through our database of Veteran résumés.
Whether you're looking for a new "home base" or you already call Iowa home and simply want a new job opportunity, the Veterans Portal can help you find it.
IowaWORKS for Veterans Portal
The first step toward opportunities in Iowa for Veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses.
VETERAN CAREER PLANNERS
Each IowaWORKS office has a dedicated Career Planner to help Veterans prepare for the workforce and find meaningful employment. Career Planners work one-on-one to guide you through through the job search process. Services include:
- Development of an Individual Employment Plan to establish a clear path that helps you reach your goals.
- Résumé building and translation of military skills into civilian language.
- Referrals (if necessary) to partner programs such as Adult Basic Education, Dislocated Worker, or Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services.
- Assistance with internet-based job searching to maximize your opportunities.
- One-on-one career and job counseling.
- Labor market information to help you research growing career fields.
- Help with tailoring skills and abilities to a new job.
PRIORITY OF SERVICE
Veterans with at least one day of active military service and eligible spouses are entitled to receive Priority of Service. Priority of Service Veterans and Eligible Spouses (a.k.a. covered persons) have the right to take precedence over a non-covered person in obtaining any employment and training services funded, in whole or part, through the Department of Labor (DOL). If you served in the U.S. Military or you are the spouse of a service member, please identify yourself as such to your local IowaWORKS staff.
HOW TO GET STARTED
Complete your registration on IowaWORKSforVeterans.gov. A Veteran Career Planner will reach out once your profile has been created.
Or
Call or visit your local IowaWORKS office and let them know that you or your spouse have served in the United States Armed Forces. ALL veterans, service members, and spouses can take advantage of the no-cost services available at any IowaWORKS center.
Other Job Search Resources for Veterans
SKILLBRIDGE
Iowa supports the Defense Department's SkillBridge Program, which helps transitioning military members find skilled jobs in the workforce. Iowa is now a third-party administrator for SkillBridge and is working to expand its impact. Visit this link to learn more about SkillBridge and get started.
HOME BASE IOWA
Home Base Iowa (HBI) is a one-of-a-kind public-private partnership connecting Veterans, military personnel and their family members with resources and opportunities across Iowa. A key component of the program is to help connect Iowa businesses with qualified Veterans, transitioning service members and their spouses.
Visit HomeBaseIowa.gov to connect with Veteran-specific resources in Iowa communities.
HILTON HONORS
The Hilton Honors Military Program is available in Iowa to assist veterans, Transitioning Service Members, National Guard/Reserve Service Member, and qualified spouses with employment-related activities such as a job interviews, job search, job training, or house hunting. As an Honors Military Member, Hilton will donate a maximum of 100,000 lifetime points to support your employment-related activities.
This Iowa Hilton Honors Flyer will give you additional information on how to get started and initiate the process with your local IowaWORKS Center or the Iowa Workforce Development Hilton Honors point of contact.
CONTACT US
For program assistance, contact us using our Workforce Services form.
Resources for Employers Seeking to Hire Veterans
Home Base Iowa & IowaWORKS
Home Base Iowa (HBI) provides opportunities for Veterans by connecting them with thousands of Iowa businesses and communities. Working through Iowa's reemployment system, IowaWORKS.gov, HBI helps companies attract and retain Veterans and their families by providing access to resumes of those with desired traits and skills.
Visit the IowaWORKSforVeterans portal (under the Employer tab) for more information and to set up an employer IowaWORKS account.