Iowa Workforce Development Launches Tools for Employers
Iowa Workforce Development has launched its new Business Engagement Division, a one-stop shop to assist Iowa employers at any point in their business cycle. Whether you’re developing, expanding, or consolidating your business, IWD can help facilitate your workforce needs.
IWD 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 they can assist, or reach out for more details about how they can help you build Iowa’s workforce. Tools available to small business owners a listed below.
Exploration and Building
WORKER TRAINING AND WORK-BASED LEARNING
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.
The Registered Apprenticeship Development Fund (15B/15C) is 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(link is external), 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(link is external), which provides grants to help develop internship programs for at-risk youth.
The Iowa Student Internship Program(link is external) provides grants to small and medium-sized companies in targeted industries to support internship programs with a goal of transitioning interns to full-time employment in Iowa upon graduation.
The Employers’ Council of Iowa (ECI) exists to guide and promote business focus, address topics of concern, and sponsor training initiatives.
MANAGING TURNOVER
MyIowaUI is a great online tool for business to use in managing 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.
Surviving a Slowdown:
TRANSITION AND LAYOFF AVERSION
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
FINDING MORE WORKERS
IowaWORKS maintains Iowa’s largest statewide job bank(link is external). Employers have the ability to recruit virtually for any open position.
IowaWORKS can host recruitment and hiring events(link is external) to give employers access to targeted populations.
Home Base Iowa’s(link is external) mission is to attract and retain Veterans, service members, and family members and connect them with Iowa businesses for new careers.
Future Ready Iowa administers grants to help employers support their employees’ Child Care(link is external) needs. An Employer Innovation Fund(link is external) also exists to help promote innovative training ideas.
EXPANDING THE POOL
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.
Helping to Explore New Ideas
Business Sector Partnerships develop goals and strategies to meet the workforce needs of a given industry.
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.
TALK TO THE IOWA WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TODAY!
Visit https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/iowas-one-stop-shop-employers for more information, or use the contact information below.
EMAIL: [email protected]
PHONE: 1-833-IOWAWORK (469-2967)
