Shared Kirkwood/IWD jobs program wraps up two years of employment, training in eastern Iowa
For people in eastern Iowa, the floods and economic hardships of the past two years were surely days with dark clouds. But for more than 500 people, there were some bright spots. One important ray of hope was the Emergency Public Jobs program.
Within days after the Flood of 2008, a joint project between Kirkwood Community College and Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) matched hundreds of dislocated workers with temporary employment in area public and non-profit organizations. For some, those experiences have translated into more lasting employment. For the offices and agencies aided, the program was a much-needed boost to re-start and recover from deeply challenging times. As the work experience portion of the program reaches the end of its two-year cycle, some funds will continue to make job training a reality in east central Iowa beyond June 24.
The Emergency Public Jobs (EPJ) program is funded by a National Emergency Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. Kirkwood administered the program on contract with IWD, matching the eligible workers with offices and agencies as diverse as the Linn County and Cedar Rapids government offices, University of Iowa, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Linn Area Long Term Recovery Coalition, and various state parks. Locally, EPJ funds also supported work experiences in affected areas of Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Jones and Washington counties.
EPJ local grant supervisor Gary Vogt says the program “provided a jumpstart” in the crucial weeks following the mid-June floods.
“The EPJ project provided significant flood restoration and recovery assistance all through our area. The program was intended to get relief and support to crucial non-profit agencies and public offices in the Corridor, and it certainly met that need, as more than 80 offices have been helped on their way to recovery,” Vogt said.
Another economic benefit provided from the EPJ program was that a majority of the restoration and recovery supplies were bought from local vendors, plus more than $3 million in wages where paid to participants.
“Those wages in turn made an impact on the communities, as those earnings were also most likely re-spent into the local communities’ economic system,” Vogt added.
One agency that benefited from the EPJ program is Ushers Ferry Historic Village. The period town reconstruction and park were severely affected by floodwaters. Two years later the site is continuing to recover and get back to regular activities and events. Site Supervisor Teresa White salutes the “hard work and dedication” of EPJ workers with the pace of that recovery.
“Thanks to all those workers did in that first year, Ushers Ferry was able to open two exhibit buildings for use in the 2009 season. With the amazing effort put forth during this past winter and spring, Ushers Ferry will have four more buildings completely restored and three more repaired and ready to go this summer. Without their assistance this just would not have been possible. In a few short months they literally have accomplished repairs it would have taken us years to complete on our own,” White said.
Under the EPJ program, local non-profit and public agencies have been able to receive no-cost labor assistance for their restoration and recovery efforts, while dislocated and flood-affected workers received a chance to earn wages and gain useful workplace skills. After initial cleaning disinfecting and other “muck-out” jobs were completed, EPJ employees moved into rebuilding and recovery mode. Recent worksite projects include carpentry, drywall and painting, plus logistical and administrative support as workers assist with ongoing recovery efforts. The work experience part of the EPJ grant will end on June 24, 2010.
Kirkwood Associate Vice President of Continuing Education and Training Programs Kim Johnson said the EPJ project “was and is a classic win/win” for the Corridor.
“Over and over we have seen and heard how these workers got public buildings, offices and agencies going again, months or years ahead of where they would be without this help. Plus, with the skills learned or renewed through this temporary employment step, many of these experiences have been just the beginning of extended work and renewed career opportunities,” Johnson said.
In the coming year EPJ workers will have the opportunity to participate in local workforce training. Participants are able to obtain assistance with job searches, research local job openings and labor market information, explore training options and obtain assistance with tuition and books.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for participants to build upon the skills learned in the worksite,” said Skills to Employment Director Carla Andorf. “They can expand their education in that area or research and identify the best career for them. Then they can further train for that career.”
More information on the Emergency Public Jobs program is available from Gary Vogt, 319-398-5070, Ext. 110; or via e-mail: [email protected]