If you own a business, you know first-hand the challenges with workforce. When I meet with any of our businesses, I often ask what keeps them up at night, and undoubtedly the first answer I receive is 'workforce'. Whether it's finding people in general, or finding the right people to round out your business, it's a tough environment due to the low unemployment rate. While a low unemployment rate is often a good thing and a sign of a strong economy, it also presents challenges for many of our area employers, regardless of their size.
In an effort to help create a workforce pipeline and solve some of the workforce challenges, the State of Iowa announced last year initiatives via the Future Ready Iowa program. The program aims to help connect Iowas to training and education required for good paying jobs and careers in Iowa, and as part of this, explores apprenticeship opportunities and programs with businesses across the State to ensure access to employers. Representatives will be in Grinnell next Thursday, November 21 to share more about Future Ready Iowa and encourage area employers, as well as educational professionals, to consider this as a possibility for growing their own talent pipeline.
This week, the Small Business Administration (SBA) celebrates National Apprenticeship Week, taking time to recognize small businesses creating apprenticeship opportunities while also shedding light on the importance of programs like Future Ready Iowa and others across the country. We know that apprenticeships are becoming more and more common in helping solve some of the workforce challenge. As a business, do you offer apprenticeships? If so, let us know so we can help promote your opportunity! If you don't currently but are interested, make plans to attend next week's seminar brought to you by our partners at Poweshiek Iowa Development by signing up here!
--Rachael Kinnick
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