Iowa Governor’s announced awards to 65 entities through the Coronavirus Relief Fund Employer Innovation Fund.
The program assists local business, nonprofits and schools with training and education for Iowans impacted by the pandemic. More than $4 million was handed out. Four Siouxland groups received a total of more than $192,000 through the grant program. They are Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, the Mary J. Treglia Community House in Sioux City, Valley Machining Company in Rock Valley and Dethmers Manufacturing in Boyden. Most of the money went to other parts of the state.
The Woodbine Community School District in Harrison County also received more than $90,000 to restart a welding program through Tommy Gate International which is located in the community.
News release from Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds:
DES MOINES - Today, Governor Reynolds announced awards to 65 applicants for the Coronavirus Relief Fund Employer Innovation Fund Grant.The program will assist local employers, nonprofits, community colleges, high schools, private universities, and the University of Iowa provide postsecondary training and education to Iowans whose employment has been impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic. More than $4.3 million has been awarded to the winning projects.
“Future Ready Iowa’s Employer Innovation Fund is centered around a grassroots effort to solve local workforce challenges while helping Iowans find economic opportunity in their community. The winning projects address barriers for Iowans who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic by providing training opportunities that will build on our economic recovery,” said Gov. Reynolds. “These programs not only help those affected by the pandemic, they will also focus on recruiting our minority and underrepresented communities to help us diversify our workforce and provide equal chances for success for all Iowans.”
The Coronavirus Relief Fund Employer Innovation Fund grants can be used to cover the cost of training, books, and equipment as well as often providing much needed wrap-around support that address other barriers some Iowans face when trying to obtain skills training.
“Once again, employers, nonprofits and educators have come up with amazing and innovative solutions to help their fellow Iowans by creating training opportunities in high demand occupations,” said Director Beth Townsend, Iowa Workforce Development. “From IT, healthcare, advanced manufacturing to first responders, these programs will help expand our skilled workforce, diversify our workplaces and help those most affected by the pandemic.”
The Future Ready Iowa goal is to have 70 percent of Iowans in the workforce with education and training beyond high school by 2025. Approximately 60 percent of Iowa’s current workforce meets this education and training criteria. Visitwww.FutureReadyIowa.gov for more information.
Siouxland groups receiving awards:
Dethmers Mfg. Co. Inc – Boyden This Weld Training project will allow employees to obtain much-needed training for high-demand skills that would otherwise not be possible during these uncertain times. Individuals will obtain non-credit certification as well as support for related expenses including books and transportation. Six Iowans with no post-secondary training beyond high school will be trained. Award: $24,370
Mary J Treglia Community House – Sioux City Funding will introduce a new curriculum that focuses on job readiness, technology literacy with a core foundation of teaching English Language Learners. It will also incorporate the ESOL Customer Service Training Curriculum and Google Applied Digital Skills curriculums. The goal is to train 30 individuals in 3 months. Award: $40,172
Woodbine Community School District – Woodbine Funding will restart a much-needed Welding program that was ended due to the pandemic. The Woodbine Community School District is partnering with Tommy Gate International for this program and will offer between 1-3 academic and concurrent enrollment credits to certify no less than 5 welders to fill needed positions at Tommy Gate. Award: $91,39
Iowa Lakes Community College – Esterville A group of 16 businesses and support agencies collaborated to create a menu of short-term, non-credit programs needed in the area that will be made available to Iowans affected by the pandemic. Programs include Intro to GIS, three levels of Excel from Beginning to Advanced, Electrical Maintenance I and II, Class A CDL licensure, Commercial Drone Licensure prep and more. The goal is to enroll 100 participants resulting in certification and job placement. Award: $100,000
Valley Machining Company – Rock Valley Funding will support training of a minimum of 25 employees who have experienced reductions in salary and hours due to the pandemic. The training will include advanced CNC programming training. Award: $27,750
