Iowa Workforce Development Communications
Date: October 1, 2024
Contact: Jesse Dougherty
Telephone: 515-725-5487
Email: communications@iwd.iowa.gov

DES MOINES, IOWA ā€“ Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) and the Iowa Department of Education (DOE) are continuing their efforts to expand Work-based Learning (WBL) by showcasing the many ways that Iowa schools and employers are building the workforce pipeline across our state.

Registration is now open for the series, which will focus on everything from building programs, utilizing apprenticeships, building relationships with businesses, and much more. The full schedule includes several webinars that are scheduled through Spring 2025.

ā€œThis unique series provides an incredible opportunity to increase awareness about the advantages and value in creating a successful work-based learning program in your community,ā€ said Beth Townsend, Executive Director of Iowa Workforce Development. ā€œThe series will demonstrate different models of work-based learning that fit many different industries and occupations.  It will also highlight the benefits of work-based learning in helping build soft skills, creating awareness of opportunities in our own backyard as well as provide additional tools for employers building their current and future workforce.  We hope the series will spur creation of new work-based learning programs across Iowa.ā€

Details on the next webinar are below, as well as schedule for the full series.

Full Schedule: Webinar Series on Work-Based Learning

Next Webinar

Iowa Business Councilā€™s ā€˜Top Fourā€™ List of Professional Proficiencies

Agenda:
  • Welcome/Overview: ā€œEngagement, Grit and Other Qualities Employers Seekā€ - Joe Murphy, President, Iowa Business Council (IBC)
  • Panel Discussion: ā€œHow Schools and Businesses Approach Soft Skills and Why a Gap Persistsā€ - Moderated by Joe Murphy, IBC, with a panel of school and business leaders
  • Resources to Consider: ā€œDeveloping Professional Proficiencies and the Importance of Businesses and Schools Communicatingā€ ā€“ Joe Collins, Education Program Consultant, Work-Based Learning and Health Science, Iowa Department of Education
  • Q & A with Audience and Conclusion: Kathy Leggett, Business Engagement Liaison, Iowa Workforce Development 

Previous Webinars

  • Monday, October 21: Jump-Start Careers: Apprenticeship, Pre-Apprenticeship and Industry-Recognized Credentials 
    • 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.

Future Webinars 

View Full Schedule

  • Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024: Iowa Business Councilā€™s ā€˜Top Four' List of Professional Proficiencies
  • Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024: Where to Find Funding and Other Resources for Work-Based Learning
  • Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025: A Deeper Dive into Starting and Expanding Work-Based Learning 
  • Tuesday, Feb.11, 2025: Using Labor Market Information to Drive Work-Based Learning Decisions
  • Tuesday, March 4, 2025: Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) Work-Based Learning for Students with Disabilities
  • Tuesday, April 8, 2025: Linking Perkins, CTSOs and Other Programs for Sustained Work-Based Learning