A Kirkwood Welding student
Planning underway to support future industry growth
Economic development leaders in Iowa’s Creative Corridor will combine information in a new study released today with upcoming focus groups to help create the tools needed to boost workforce development throughout the region.
The study, “Clusters Employment and Staffing Pattern Summary,” conducted collaboratively by Kirkwood Community College, Iowa City Area Development Group (ICAD), Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance and local economic development organizations, provides a better understanding of the workforce needs of specific industries in order to help existing and prospective businesses.
Information from the study will be used to seek community and employer input regarding workforce challenges and, more importantly, workforce solutions for the region. The study describes the staffing patterns and skill capabilities that are necessary to support interstate commerce companies showing strong growth.
Dee Baird, president & CEO of the Economic Alliance, says workforce needs is one of the primary challenges for Economic Alliance members and large and small regional businesses.
“This study is another tool we will use to develop programs and services to help existing and prospective businesses who are looking to hire skilled workers,” Baird says.
Preliminary findings show where skills and workforce training, along with educational programs, are needed across thirteen industry clusters in the region.
According to Mark Nolte, ICAD Group president, one of the key outcomes of the study will be targeted training. “Through these preliminary findings, we now know the most common skills and knowledge required across multiple clusters,” said Nolte. “Moving forward, we’ll need to speak with employers and other stakeholders to better implement the data.”
While skill gaps have been identified in the new study, additional information will be gathered from focus groups to help identify new workforce programming. In addition, participating organizations will provide feedback in order to create customized, industry specific plans.
Kim Johnson, vice president, Continuing Education and Training Services at Kirkwood Community College, acknowledges the collaborative work that went into framing and conducting the study.
“Now the real work begins,” she says. “It is imperative that we seek and engage the employer and educational community in regional workforce solutions. This study assists us to guide and prioritize our work.”
The study and executive summary are available for download at on the regional economic development website at www.iowascreativecorridor.com/skillsreport.
For More Information:
Kim Johnson, Kirkwood Community College, (319) 398-5525
Dennis Jordan, Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, (319) 398-5317
Mark Nolte, ICAD Group, (319) 354-3939