Iowa Workforce Development Communications
For Immediate Release
Date: June 17, 2026
Contact: Jesse Dougherty
Telephone: 515-725-5487
Email: communications@iwd.iowa.gov
Printer Friendly Version of AMP'd Press Release (PDF) (147.03 KB) .pdf
Iowa to Launch New Training Grant to Strengthen State’s Manufacturing Workforce
Unique programs will help close skilled labor gaps and create new pipelines of workers.
DES MOINES, IOWA – Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) is announcing a new statewide initiative kicking off later this month that will help develop a more skilled and competitive workforce in the state’s advanced manufacturing industry.
The new initiative, Advanced Manufacturing Pathways Development (AMP’D) Iowa, is part of a $4.7 million grant awarded to the state from the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund, which was created to address critical workforce needs across the country. All Iowa employers operating in the advanced manufacturing sector are encouraged to review the qualifying criteria and consider applying.
Starting Monday, June 29, AMP’D Iowa will accept grant applications from eligible Iowa manufacturers to partner and design employer-led training programs that focus on production, machine maintenance, and other critical skill gaps in their labor force. Eligible employers can receive up to 80 percent reimbursement for expenses incurred on training newly hired or current employees, offsetting costs and accelerating upskilling in their workforce. Grant awards include a maximum of $4,000 per employee, up to a $250,000 maximum per employer.
Grant Details:
- Applications will be accepted starting on Monday, June 29 on iowagrants.gov.
- An informational webinar will be held on Tuesday, June 23. Interested employers in the advanced manufacturing sector can register here: RSVP for Webinar (Zoom).
- A grants webpage with more information can be found at ampd.iowa.gov.
“This initiative is an excellent opportunity to help employers in one of our most critical industries generate the targeted training programs needed to help them upskill their workforce,” said Governor Reynolds. “This funding will not only help advanced manufacturing remain competitive in Iowa, it also will create more opportunities for Iowans to thrive in good-paying careers.”
Grant applications will be reviewed as they are received. Priority funding will be given to eligible small and medium-sized employers. Iowa State University’s Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) will serve as a technical partner to support employers in assessing needs and identifying training priorities.
The grant builds on the success of Iowa’s Manufacturing 4.0 initiative, administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority to help manufacturers invest in the smart technology and digital equipment needed to adapt and compete amid a rapid digital transformation. AMP’D Iowa will fulfill another critical need for the industry by aligning worker training with the technological and competitive needs of tomorrow.
“The AMP'D initiative is a great new tool for Iowa's manufacturers that will help them upskill their workforce, implement new processes, strengthen their talent pipeline, and increase productivity," said Beth Townsend, Executive Director of Iowa Workforce Development. “We are very excited to offer this opportunity to our manufacturers, especially those who have previously participated in Manufacturing 4.0. The grant can help expand and reinforce the work already done or provide new opportunities to expand production even more, as supporting Iowa's manufacturers remains a key priority in Governor Reynolds' workforce strategy."
Manufacturing is Iowa’s second-largest employment sector, with more than 217,000 jobs that help generate 17 percent of the state’s annual GDP. The sector’s job growth is expected to expand by nearly 15 percent over the next decade, more than double the national average, making the grant a promising opportunity for Iowa manufacturers looking to expand and adapt with a highly skilled workforce.
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