Iowa’s lack of skilled workers is our biggest challenge when it comes to jobs. Fortunately, Iowa’s community colleges are nationally recognized as leaders at helping families get ahead.
The problem is that state funding for community colleges has not kept up with demand for all that they have to offer. Students cover an increasing share of the costs.
The Education Budget recently approved by the Senate will ease the pressure to increase tuition. It includes a $16 million increase for our community colleges to help keep tuition rates down. That way, Iowans of all ages can get the education and training they need to become the workers Iowa businesses require.
We are also working with community college educators and businesses on ways to help improve worker training with the goal of helping Iowa businesses searching for skilled workers. There are plenty of Iowa moms and dads working one, two or three low-wage jobs. Given a chance, many could learn a new trade or earn an industry certificate and move on to better work.
To help low-skilled Iowans who have dropped out of high school, the Senate approved $7.5 million for adult basic education. Iowa is one of only three states that does not target any state funding to adult literacy. New Iowa jobs requiring post-secondary education and training will grow by 101,000 in the next few years, yet almost 300,000 working-age Iowans do not have a high school diploma.
The Education Budget under consideration in the Senate also provides:
• An increase of $9.5 million for basic worker training programs at our local community colleges.
• Funding for a Career Pathways program consisting of education, training and support services that enable Iowans to move through successively higher levels of education over time.
• Work-based learning intermediaries that develop training and education programs geared toward workforce skills required by our local employers.
For more on the Senate’s Education Budget, see amendment S-3155 to House File 604.