Iowa STRONG Initiative Unites Community Colleges, Iowa Department of Education and Iowa Workforce Development to Build Workforce Pell-Eligible Programs
WATERLOO, Iowa –The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded $10,800,000 to a program focused on expanding short-term training programs and developing Workforce Pell-eligible programs at Iowa’s community colleges.
Administered by the department’s Employment and Training Administration, this sixth round of Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants funding is awarded to statewide community college systems, or a consortia of community colleges to ensure effective development and expansion of the new programs and support the statewide coordination that is necessary for successful implementation of Workforce Pell Grants.
Iowa’s project, named Iowa STRONG (Systems, Training, and Resources for Opportunity, Navigation, and Growth) is a united effort between Iowa’s community colleges, the Iowa Department of Education, and Iowa Workforce Development (IWD). Hawkeye Community College will manage statewide implementation of the program, which aims to develop more than 50 Workforce Pell-eligible training programs in advanced manufacturing, construction and skilled trades, and healthcare by 2030.
Iowa Western Community College is proud to be a partner in the Iowa STRONG initiative to expand access statewide to workforce training opportunities. Through this grant, Iowa Western will advance work related to Workforce Pell implementation and strengthen pathways in selected career and technical education programs. By expanding access to high-quality training programs, Iowa Western aims to help more learners quickly enter or advance in the workforce and assist local employers in addressing critical talent shortages
Iowa STRONG will also enhance IWD’s wage record reporting infrastructure, conduct employer outreach, and support statewide data integration and outcomes reporting.
“Dr. Dan Kinney, President of Iowa Western Community College, said, ‘Iowa Western is excited to join our fellow Iowa community colleges in this important statewide initiative. Workforce Pell represents a significant opportunity to expand access to education and training for students who need flexible, affordable pathways to good careers. This investment will help strengthen our workforce pipeline, support regional employers, and create new opportunities for residents throughout southwest Iowa.”
The funding significantly contributes to national efforts to rapidly and effectively meet the hiring needs of employers, while also filling critical gaps in high-demand sectors, supporting skill gains, and worker mobility. These awards also break down existing silos between education and state workforce systems, with improved data integration, a key component of this round of funding.
For more information about Iowa STRONG, contact Constance Grimm, GPC, at 319-296-4439 or [email protected].