The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded $10.8 million to a program focused on expanding short-term training opportunities 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 was awarded to a consortium of Iowa community colleges to support the development and expansion of new workforce training programs and statewide coordination 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. 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.
As a member of the Iowa STRONG consortium, Iowa Central Community College was awarded $772,068 to create and implement six new workforce training programs aligned with the needs of employers throughout the region. The programs will include both credit and noncredit training opportunities and will be submitted for Workforce Pell eligibility after they have operated for one year.
The six new programs Iowa Central will develop are:
- Maintenance Welding
- Construction Trades
- General Carpentry
- Heavy Equipment Operator
- Enhanced Nurse Aide, including Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Direct Support Professional training
- Patient Care Technician, including CNA and Phlebotomy training
The programs have been identified as meeting the H3 criteria of high demand, high skill and high wage. Grant funding will support the development and implementation of these programs, including hiring instructors, purchasing equipment, developing curriculum, marketing the new training opportunities and providing support to students.
“Workforce development is integral to Iowa Central’s purpose because our region needs skilled workers and our students need access to training that can lead them to a better life,” said Dr. Ulrich, president of Iowa Central Community College. “This grant gives us the opportunity to build six new workforce training programs in areas where employers are telling us the need is real. The Iowa STRONG grant will support investment in instructors, equipment, curriculum development, recruitment, and student support. We are excited for another pathway to put our purpose into action while meeting the workforce needs of the communities we serve.”
Iowa STRONG will also enhance Iowa Workforce Development’s wage record reporting infrastructure, conduct employer outreach, and support statewide data integration and outcomes reporting.
The funding contributes to national efforts to rapidly and effectively meet the hiring needs of employers while 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.