We need to do more to expand Iowa’s middle class and help Iowans still recovering from the national recession.
One problem is that Iowa does not have enough skilled workers to fill available job openings. Today, about 66 percent of jobs require some education beyond high school. Yet almost 300,000 working-age Iowans don’t have a high school diploma. In fact, only about 33 percent of Iowans have the necessary training and credentials to fill middle-skill jobs.
In recent years, we’ve worked to turn these numbers around with strong investments in workers and job-training programs. Iowa business leaders tell us it’s the most important thing we can do to grow our state’s economy. Skilled workers are more productive, adaptable and able to meet the changing demands of today’s jobs.
This year’s Education Budget (SF 2347), which was recently approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee, will increase the number of Iowa’s skilled workers with funding for job training efforts throughout the state. We’re providing $40.3 million to support worker training for the most in-demand jobs among local employers. This includes:
• $6 million for the Accelerated Career Education (ACE). ACE helps community colleges and local businesses work together to establish or expand programs that train Iowans in the skills most needed to fill job openings. Participating employers include those in manufacturing, processing or assembling products, construction, research and development, or services.
• $5 million for Skilled Worker Tuition Grants. These grants provide need-based financial assistance to Iowans earning certificates for in-demand jobs. Grants for full-time students are designed to cover half the average tuition and mandatory fees at Iowa community colleges, depending on the student’s financial need and the amount of funding available.
• Investing in adult basic education to help Iowans earn their high school equivalency, career pathways that connect education and training to create a pathway to work in a high-demand field, and pathway navigators to put more low-skill adult workers on the path to earning postsecondary credentials.
These investments aren’t just good for business; they’re also good for Iowa families. When 23 percent of our working families don’t make enough to pay for day-to-day necessities, job training can provide the chance they need to build a better life.