Iowa Workforce Development Communications
Date: October 1, 2024
Contact: Jesse Dougherty
Telephone: 515-725-5487
Email: [email protected]

Work-based Learning Webinars Continue This Month with Focus on Building Iowa's Workforce Pipeline

DES MOINES, IOWA - Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) is continuing its efforts to expand Work-based Learning (WBL) in Iowa by showcasing the many ways that Iowa schools and employers are building the workforce pipeline across our state.

The first webinar, which took place Oct. 1, 2024, was entitled "High School Work-based Learning: An Essential Tool to Prepare Students for Careers." (Watch here for link to video coming soon.)

Registration is now open for the series' second webinar, which will focus on apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, and industry-recognized credentials.

"This 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," said Beth Townsend, Executive Director of Iowa Workforce Development. "The 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."

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

Full Schedule: IWD Webinar Series on Work-Based Learning

Webinar Two

Jump-Start Careers: Apprenticeship, Pre-Apprenticeship and Industry-Recognized Credentials

October 21, 2024
3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Welcome: Building Iowa's Future Workforce

• Joe Murphy, President, Iowa Business Council
• What the New Iowa Office of Apprenticeship (IOA) Offers Employers, Adults and Students
  • Dane Sulentic, Iowa Office of Apprenticeship Director, Iowa Workforce Development (IWD)
• Why Interstates Hires Adult and High School Registered Apprentices
  • Kent Heronimus, Technical Training Manager, Interstates
• How Schools Build Registered Apprenticeships and Quality Pre-Apprenticeships
  • Darell Butcher, College and Career Readiness Coordinator, Southeast Polk High School
  • Amanda DeGroot, Business Teacher, Work-Based Learning Coordinator, and Cindy Prewitt, CPS Instructor, TAG Teacher, Sheldon High School
• Why Industry-Recognized Credentials Matter
  • Cale Hutchings, Industrial Technology/Applied Sciences Consultant, Iowa Department of Education
• Q & A
  • Moderated Throughout by Tara Troester, Strategic Partnership Lead, Cedar Rapids Community School District, Past President, Iowa Work-Based Learning Coordinators
• Conclusion
  • Kathy Leggett, Business Engagement Liaison, IWD

Additional Webinars (View Full Schedule)

• Tuesday, Nov. 5: Adult Work-Based Learning: How Employers Can Tap into a Key Talent Pool
• Tuesday, Dec. 10: Where to Find Funding and Other Resources for Work-Based Learning
• Tuesday, Jan. 21: A Deeper Dive into Starting and Expanding Work-Based Learning
• Tuesday, Feb.11: Using Labor Market Information to Drive Work-Based Learning Decisions

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