New schedule will build on the success of the initial series to bring more Iowans into the fold of WBL programs
DES MOINES, IOWA – Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) and the Iowa Department of Education (DOE) are expanding their efforts to grow work-based learning (WBL) by introducing a new series of webinars over the next few months. The new schedule builds on the success of an initial WBL series last fall to showcase some of the most proven programs and approaches to WBL in Iowa’s most in-demand industries.
Both employers and educators are highly encouraged to register for the series, which will help assist them in their efforts to explore and ultimately partner on meaningful WBL programs.
New WBL Webinar Series (Continues January 27, 2026)
List items for WBL Series
Iowans interested in the series can view recordings of previous webinars or register for future webinars using the links below.
Work-Based Learning Webinar: Launching a High School IT Community Help Desk January 27, 2026 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Register for the Webinar (Zoom)
Join Iowa Workforce Development and the Iowa Department of Education for a new webinar to discover how work-based learning (WBL) can make a real impact in the lives of both students and older Iowans. This January 27, 2026, webinar will showcase how to create a High School IT Community Help Desk to assist residents of senior living facilities with everyday tech tasks - such as attaching a photo to an email and installing a solitaire app without ads - while helping students develop technical and customer service skills that support their long-term success.
The webinar will feature the partnership between NewAldaya Lifescapes in Cedar Falls and the Waterloo Career Center and provide a firsthand look at how how employers and schools can collaborate to offer this opportunity locally.
Agenda:
Welcome and Introductions:
Linda Fandel, Work-Based Learning Liaison, Iowa Workforce Development
Why and How Waterloo Career Center Launched a Community Help Desk and the Results:
Kyle Kuhlers, Computer Programming and Cyber Security Instructor and Coach, Waterloo Career Center and Hawkeye Community College, 2025-26 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow
Why NewAldaya Lifescapes Became a Partner, How Much Work Was Involved and How Residents Benefited:
Kirstin Lunn, Recreational Therapist, NewAldaya Lifescapes, Cedar Falls
How High Schools Can Award Work-Based Learning Credit for a Help Desk Partnership:
Jodie Smith, Education Program Consultant-Work Based Learning and Industry Recognized Credentials, Iowa Department of Education
Final Remarks:
Jodie Smith
Preparing Student-Learners for Construction and Advanced Manufacturing Careers 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Register for the Webinar (Zoom)
A student-learner program is a type of work-based learning experience with the potential to train 16- and 17-year-olds for careers in industries like construction and advanced manufacturing. Learn about the components that comprise a student-learner program.
More information on this webinar will be released in the weeks ahead.
Incorporating Industry-Recognized Credentials into Work-Based Learning 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Register for the Webinar (Zoom)
Work-based learning provides opportunities for high schools and community colleges to integrate industry-recognized credentials (IRCs) into courses and programs. Learn about which types of work-based learning are best suited for alignment with IRCs and how to integrate these credentials into existing and new work-based learning programs.
More information on this webinar will be released in the weeks ahead.
How Iowa Fire Departments Are Expanding High School EMT Training
Learn how fire departments can expand opportunities for high students to take Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training, launching careers and benefiting communities. Le Mars Battalion Chief John MacGregor and Waukee Lt. Chandler Thayer will share how their departments do this in partnership with school districts and community colleges. View the recording below.
Welcome: Kathy Leggett, Iowa Workforce Development Business Engagement Liaison and Webinar Moderator
Why Fire Departments Providing EMT Training to High School Students Matters: Tracy Foltz, Iowa Emergency Medical Services Association President and Chief Medic, Sioux Center Ambulance
Le Mars Fire Department/Le Mars High School/Western Iowa Tech Community College Model:
John MacGregor, Le Mars Fire Department Battalion Chief
Dr. Mark Iverson, Le Mars High School Principal
Waukee Fire Department/Waukee APEX/Des Moines Area Community College Model:
Chandler Thayer, Waukee Fire Department Lieutenant
Kathleen Sender, Waukee Innovation and Learning Center Program Administrator
How Community Colleges Can Facilitate Fire Department High School EMT Training: Joel Otte, Emergency Medical Services and Fire Science Education Coordinator, Des Moines Area Community College
Q & A Session
Conclusion: Kathy Leggett, Webinar Moderator
Employers and Educators: Building the Foundation of Work-Based Learning
Join us to explore how intentional planning connects students’ academic goals with real-world career experiences. Discover how educators and employers can collaborate to create meaningful pathways that prepare students for the workforce, while helping businesses cultivate future talent and strengthen their talent pipelines. View the recording below.
Agenda
Welcome – Abby Tibbetts, IWD, Work-Based Learning Program Designer
Connecting WBL to DCAP– Cale Hutchings, Industrial Technology/Applied Sciences Consultant, Iowa Department of Education
Conclusion – Abby Tibbetts, IWD, Work-Based Learning Program Designer
Hear from employers across Iowa about how they built their high school internship programs, the advantages of starting early to prepare the future workforce, and what they need from educators to sustain a successful work-based learning partnership. View the recording below.
Agenda
Welcome and Introduction: Linda Fandel, Iowa Workforce Development Work-Based Learning Liaison
Panelist Presentations with Q & A Throughout:
Kylie Ayala, Team Kline, Employee Development Coordinator and Registered Apprenticeship Instructor, and Matt Puffer, Team Kline, Human Resources Director
Jennifer Downe, MercyOne Workforce Development Partner and Margrit Allen, Trinity Health System (including MercyOne) Director of Workforce Development, Innovation and Funding
Doug Ford, Wells Enterprises Operations, Director of Training and Development
Mitchell Hora, Continuum Ag Founder & CEO, and Peggy Miller, Former High School Intern, Continuum Ag
Kyle Kuhlers, Computer Programming and Cyber Security Instructor and Coach, Waterloo Career Center and Hawkeye Community College, 2025-26 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow
Concluding Remarks: Jodie Smith, Education Consultant for Work-Based Learning and Industry-Recognized Credentials, Iowa Department of Education
Conclusion: Linda Fandel, Iowa Workforce Development Work-Based Learning Liaison
Join us for an introduction to strategies that are working to increase awareness of the opportunities for Iowans to obtain great healthcare careers and for employers to fill high-demand healthcare jobs, both today and in the future. View the recording below.
Agenda
Welcome and Introduction – Kathy Leggett, Iowa Workforce Development
An initial webinar series took place from Fall 2024 to Spring 2025, to highlight everything happening statewide in WBL - from building programs, utilizing apprenticeships, building relationships with businesses, and much more. This page includes a list of all recorded webinars and topics from the series.
The first webinar in the series talked about the opportunities for high-school students to enter WBL programs. The call featured IWD Executive Director Beth Townsend, representatives from UnityPoint, and other voices in the WBL community.
The second webinar in the series featured Apprenticeship programs - everything from apprenticeship to pre-apprenticeship, and what it really means to earn an industry-recognized credential. The webinar featured representatives from the Iowa Business Council, the Iowa Office of Apprenticeship, employers, Iowa high schools, the Iowa Department of Education, and the Iowa Work-Based Learning Coordinators.
Tuesday, November 19, 2024: Iowa Business Council’s ‘Top Four' List of Professional Proficiencies
The third webinar in the series featured the Iowa Business Council and focused on the top qualities Iowa businesses seek when hiring new employees. Hear from representatives of Iowa’s largest companies and school districts on how to help develop skills and how future job candidates can come equipped with the right tools for the job.
Tuesday, December 3, 2024: Where to Find Funding and Other Resources for Work-Based Learning
The fourth webinar in the series focused on where to find funding and other resources for Work-based learning and how your organization can connect with Iowa Workforce Development, Iowa Office of Apprenticeship, and Iowa Department of Education staff to launch a Registered Apprenticeship program.
January 21, 2025: A Deep-Dive Into Work-based Learning Models in Iowa
The fifth webinar in the series covers a deep dive into Work-based Learning models in Iowa, including Pre-Apprenticeship, Registered Apprenticeship, and obtaining Industry-Recognized credentials.
February 11, 2025: A Deep-Dive Into Work-based Learning Models in Iowa
The sixth webinar in the WBL series explores the many tools from Labor Market Information can be the difference maker in making decisions about WBL programs. Join Iowa Workforce Development and the Iowa Department of Education as well as partners from the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) and other organizations for this important webinar.
March 4, 2025: Work-Based Learning for Students with Disabilities
The seventh webinar in the WBL series highlights Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) and the opportunities that they provide to help students with disabilities reach their employment goals.
April 8, 2025: Linking Perkins, CTSOs and Other Programs for Sustained Work-Based Learning
As the final webinar in the initial WBL series, this webinar will features models and success stories that showcase how WBL is building the workforce pipeline across Iowa.
Iowa Workforce Development and its partners are committed to expanding the ability for businesses and schools to support successful work-based learning (WBL) programs. More resources are below.
