Mission: Employable

Latest Episodes:

Episode 173 - New Leadership for Iowa's Vocational Rehabilitation Services Oct 31, 2023

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Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services has a new leader and he comes all the way from Texas. Division Administrator, Dr. James Williams, joins the Mission: Employable podcast to talk about how he plans to lead the department over the next few years. Find out what he has in store for Iowa's Vocational Rehabilitation Services, and how his experience in special education and vocational rehabilitation in Texas has prepared him to lead the division in Iowa and especially after the statewide realignment under Iowa Workforce Development.

Episode 172: National Disability Employment Awareness Month Part 2 - ISU Surplus Finds Success Hiring Iowans with Disabilities Oct 17, 2023

Show notes

Mission: Employable continues its series on National Disability Employment Awareness Month by talking with Tami Jewell, Administrative Specialist with Iowa State University Surplus. Jewell partners with Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation and Project:Search to hire Iowans with disabilities who are looking for a path to employment. Find out how this unique partnership is helping Iowans find rewarding work, and how one Iowan in particular is making a difference at ISU Surplus.

Episode 171 - National Disability Employment Awareness Month Kick-Off Oct 03, 2023

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October marks National Disability Employment Awareness Month and the Mission: Employable Podcast will be talking about the subject all month long. Eric Evans, who has done a little bit of everything at Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS), stops by the podcast studio to chat about how his department is continuously helping Iowans with disabilities find rewarding work and what it means now that IVRS is under the Iowa Workforce Development umbrella.

170: Pre-Apprenticeship Provides Career Pathways Sep 19, 2023

Show notes

We've talked a lot about registered apprenticeship programs on the podcast, but did you know there are ways to get students ready for that apprenticeship before they even step through the door? Samantha Groark, Executive Director at the Central Iowa Building & Construction Trades Council, is back on Mission: Employable to talk about how pre-apprenticeship programs are helping high school students and beyond prepare to become an apprentice, and how schools and non-profits can easily create these classes to help give students a leg up.

Episode 169 - Rapid Response to Mass Layoffs Sep 05, 2023

Show notes

Mass layoffs at companies like Yellow Corp. often affect hundreds of employees. Iowa Workforce Development plays a major role in getting those people back to work. Lacie Kraft, Manager for IWD's Rapid Response Program, and Chad Pierce, Business Engagement Consultant, talk about the services IWD provides to both employers and employees during these incidents, and how IWD can help companies avoid mass layoffs before they even happen.

Episode 168 - MUSCO's Work Based Learning Program is in the Spotlight Aug 22, 2023

Show notes

Work-based learning can be a light bulb moment for businesses as they work to develop their talent pipeline. We're joined by MUSCO Lighting Talent Outreach Manager Paula Wright as she talks about how their programs are creating a 60% retention rate for students who are joining their work-based learning programs. Find out how you can be successful with one of these programs even if it doesn't look exactly like MUSCO's.

Episode 167 – We'll see you at the Iowa State Fair! Aug 08, 2023

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The Iowa State Fair is right around the corner and our workforce team will be there to meet with Fairgoers! IWD Director (and State Fair super fan) Beth Townsend joins the show to talk about why she believes it's so important to be out in the community at one of Iowa's largest events. Find out what you can expect when you meet our team in person, as well as what State Fair food we look forward to each year!

Episode 166 – Making Iowa a Leader in Veteran Employment Jul 25, 2023

Show notes

Hiring Veterans and their spouses is one of the workforce priorities at Iowa Workforce Development. Iowa now has a job portal that makes it easier for this talent pool to connect with Veteran-ready employers across the state! Jamie Norton, Director of Veteran Workforce Services, talks about the new IowaWORKS for Veterans portal and how it connects Veterans and their spouses to great employment opportunities in Iowa.

Episode 165 – Growing Entrepreneurs in Iowa Jul 11, 2023

Show notes

Ever thought about starting your own business? Iowa is the perfect state for entrepreneurs to set up shop. Diana Wright, Start-up Community Builder at the Greater Des Moines Partnership, stops by the studio to talk about all the resources available to someone looking to start their own business in Iowa. From grant funding to investors, this episode has it all!

Episode 164 – Finding your niche through work-based learning Jun 20, 2023

Show notes

Work-based learning is gaining momentum in Iowa, making the way to help high school students explore careers before they graduate. Grant Hegstad, Career Experiences Coordinator at MOC-Floyd Valley Community School District, explains how they created a program where students can get professional experience with local employers. Find out how the school district is supporting the local workforce with innovative projects in and out of the classroom.

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