S KILLS

  2010   R EPORT   U PDATE  

 
Employer  Workforce  Needs  –  2008  –  2010  
 
The  results  of  the  Skills  2010  Survey  revealed  that  84  employers  (representing  29  percent  of  the  regional  businesses  
surveyed)  identified  an  anticipated  need  for  5,117  new  and  11,335  replacement  workers  for  a  total  of  16,472  workers  
needed  over  the  next  three  years.  
 
The  Corridor  region  experienced  a  dramatic  shift  in  these  workforce  projections  as  a  result  of  the  economic  stress  
created  from  unprecedented  and  catastrophic  flooding  during  June,  2008  and  the  reverberations  from  the  national  
recession.    The  region  is  now  positioning  itself  for  economic  recovery.    

To  create  a  vital  regional  economy  through  creation  and  growth  of  business,  the  Corridor  Business  Alliance  was  formed.    
The  formation  of  the  CBA  group  began  in  December  2008  and  has  evolved  into  the  following  vision,  purpose  and  goals.    
 Members  include  Alliant  Energy,  Cedar  Rapids  Area  Chamber  of  Commerce,  Entrepreneurial  Development  Center,  Iowa  
City  Area  Chamber  of  Commerce,  Iowa  City  Area  Development  Group,  Kirkwood  Community  College,  MidAmerican  
Energy,  Priority  One,  Kirkwood’s  Small  Business  Development  Center,  The  John  Pappajohn  Entrepreneurial  Center  at  the  
University  of  Iowa,  University  of  Iowa  Research  Foundation  and  University  of  Iowa  Small  Business  Development  Center.  

The  Alliance’s  purpose  is  to  improve  and  strengthen  strategic  collaboration  among  member  organizations  to  harness  
and  leverage  corridor  resources  to  achieve  business  growth.  

The  three  strategic  initiatives  currently  underway  include:  

1.  Develop  and  implement  a  regional  brand.  

2.  Achieve  full  flood  recovery.  
3.  Develop  and  implement  a  regional  economic  development  strategy.  
 
Skills  2010  Recommendations  Summary  &  Accomplishments  
 
1. Continuing  to  promote  and  reinforce  with  Corridor  employers  the  importance  of  foundational  skills  for  future  
incumbent  employees  by  requiring  or  recommending  the  Skills  Advantage  Work  Ready  Certificate.  (Now  known  
as  the  National  Career  Readiness  Certificate.)  
 
In  FY  2009,  in  partnership  with  Iowa  Workforce  Development,  the  Skills  Advantage  Work  Ready  Certificate  became  
known  as  the  National  Career  Readiness  Certificate.    Due  to  the  successful  implementation  of  the  skills  certificate  
program  and  active  employer  engagement  in  this  region,  Iowa  Workforce  Development  advocated  for  the  expansion  of  
the  program  statewide.    Today,  there  are  five  community  college  regions  in  the  state  that  have  implemented  the  
National  Career  Readiness  Certificate.      
 
The  National  Career  Readiness  Certificate  continues  to  receive  strong  employer  support  in  the  region.    From  January  1,  
2006  to  December  15,  2010,  143  additional  employers  in  the  region  have  signed  Letters  of  Commitment  to  require  or  
recommend  the  certificate  as  part  of  their  hiring  practice,  bringing  the  total  of  participating  employers  to  156.  As  a  
result  of  this  strong  employer  commitment,  3,000  individuals  have  obtained  a  Career  Readiness  Certificate  from  January  
1,  2006  through  December  15,  2010.    Of  these,  13%  were  at  a  Bronze  Level,  49%  at  the  Silver  Level,  37%  at  the  Gold  
Level,  and  1%  at  the  Platinum  Level.  
 
Kirkwood  Community  College  has  worked  closely  with  employers,  secondary  schools  and  post-­‐secondary  programs  to  
implement  the  NCRC.    Kirkwood  Community  College  has  tested  over  1,000  students  in  healthcare,  business,  and  
information  technology  career  programs.    Dislocated  workers  have  also  been  provided  access  to  the  NCRC  as  part  of  the  
services  provided  through  the  Workforce  Investment  Act  program.  
 
2. Direct  Corridor  employers  to  require  or  recommend  the  Skills  Advantage  Core+  certificate  and  personality  tests.  
 
In  January  2008,  Kirkwood  Community  College  released  the  “Skills  Advantage  Research  Project:    A  First  in  the  Nation  
Report”.      The  goal  of  this  first  in  the  nation  study  was  to  demonstrate  the  skill  level  of  the  region’s  incumbent  workers  
in  three  essential  skill  areas:    Applied  Mathematics  (AM),  Reading  for  Information  (RFI)  and  Locating  Information  (LI).    
The  benchmark  scores  in  the  skill  areas  communicated  the  region’s  incumbent  worker  capability  to  existing  employers  
and  business  prospects.    During  July  to  November  2007,  400  incumbent  workers  from  48  employers  completed  one  of  
the  three  identified  WorkKeys  assessments  (AM,  RFI  or  LI).    The  results  of  the  400  incumbent  workers  indicated  that  the  
benchmark  skill  levels  for  the  region  in  the  three  identified  areas  were:    Applied  Mathematics:    5.46/7.0,  Reading  for  
Information:    5.38/7.0  and  Locating  Information  4.48/6.0.      
 
Economic  development  organizations  in  the  region  have  been  actively  in  engaged  in  the  NCRC  program.    The  NCRC  
program  has  been  visible  through  a  variety  of  presentations  at  events  and  industry  sector  meetings  throughout  the  
corridor.  To  date,  the  Skills  Advantage  Core+  certificate  program  has  not  been  widely  utilized.  
 
3. Encourage  high  schools  and  post-­‐secondary  institutions  to  adapt  curriculum  and  graduation  requirements  to  focus  
on  gaps  in  foundational  skills.  
 
Kirkwood  Community  College  continues  to  work  closely  with  regional  high  schools.    One  strategic  initiative  has  made  
COMPASS  testing  available  at  high  schools  within  Kirkwood’s  service  area.    This  eCOMPASS  tool  is  being  used  by  high  
schools  to  address  a  variety  of  curricular  and  graduation  requirements.    As  a  result,  high  schools  have  access  to  baseline  
cut  scores  regarding  college  readiness  and  reports  to  better  inform  students  and  parents  of  suggested  preparatory  
classes  to  adequately  prepare  for  college  level  course  work  upon  graduation.      
 
High  school  graduate  COMPASS  score  information  is  shared  by  Kirkwood  Community  College  with  area  high  schools.    
Each  fall  area  superintendents  receive  aggregate  math,  reading  and  writing  scores  for  the  previous  year’s  graduates  who  
have  chosen  to  attend  Kirkwood  and  have  completed  the  COMPASS  placement  test.    Local  districts  use  these  placement  
score  results  to  modify  curriculum  where  necessary  within  their  districts.    
 
4. Elevate  the  need  to  establish  or  maintain  work-­‐based  linkages  such  as  internships  and  job  shadowing.  
 
The  Workplace  Learning  Connection  is  actively  engaged  in  creating  work-­‐based  linkages.    The  Workplace  Learning  
Connection  has  served  over  10,000  high  school  students  through  internships  and  job  shadow  experiences  to  directly  
connect  high  school  students  with  employment  and  career  opportunities  from  2006  to  2010.    This  represents  a  27  
percent  growth  rate  in  the  number  of  high  school  students  taking  advantage  of  this  opportunity  since  2006.  
 
ICAD  and  Priority  One  have  worked  through  the  Corridor  Human  Resource  Advisory  Network  to  promote  internships  and  
job  shadowing  with  regional  employers.  Four  times  per  year  employers  are  offered  an  opportunity  to  visit  a  regional  
post-­‐secondary  school  and  to  connect  with  the  career  center  staff.  A  new  website  has  been  launched,  MyTernNow.com,  
designed  to  provide  high  school  and  college  students  with  internship  opportunities  with  Corridor  employers.      
 
5. Promote  the  importance  of  seamless  system  delivery  between  K-­‐12  and  regional  higher  education  institutions.  
 
School  districts  within  Kirkwood’s  seven-­‐county  region  have  been  provided  a  variety  of  options  to  enroll  students  in  
college  credit  coursework  while  still  in  high  school.    These  options  include:      
• Postsecondary  Enrollment  Option  (PSEO).    High  school  PSEO  students  enroll  independently  with  other  college  credit  
students  in  a  class  that  is  not  offered  by  their  high  school.    Upon  successful  completion  of  the  course  the  student  
may  receive  both  high  school  and  college  credit  for  the  class.    Since  2006,  PSEO  student  enrollments  have  increased  
from  671  to  1,271  or  89  percent.  
• Concurrent  Enrollment.    Concurrent  enrollment  classes  are  also  known  as  dual  credit  classes.    Through  a  contractual  
agreement  between  the  community  college  and  the  high  school,  college  credit  courses  are  offered  to  high  school  
students.    The  class  may  be  taught  by  a  community  college  instructor  or  a  high  school  teacher  meeting  the  
qualifications  and  credentials  necessary  to  teach  the  college-­‐level  course.    Since  2006,  Concurrent  enrollment  
 agreements  have  increased  significantly.    During  the  2009  –  2010  academic  year,  Arts  and  Science  college  transfer  
courses  were  offered  to  1,055  students.  
• High  School  Career  Academies.    Kirkwood  Community  College  offers  career  academies  in  16  areas.    Career  
academies  bridge  high  school  and  college  career  and  technical  (CTE)  programs.    Career  academies  include:  
Architecture  and  Construction  Management,  Automotive  Technology,  Business  and  Finance,  Computer  Networking,  
Computer  Programming,  Culinary,  Dental,  Emergency  Medical  Technician,  Engineering:  Project  Lead  the  Way,  
Geospatial  Information  Systems,  Graphics  and  Media,  Health:  Patient  Care,  Metal  Fabrication,  Pharmacy  Technician,  
Software  Specialist,  and  Welding.    Since  2006,  approximately  15,000  students  have  participated  in  these  High  School  
Career  Academies.  
 
6. Expand  efforts  to  inform  high  school  and  college  students  about  employment/career  opportunities  within  the  
Corridor.  
 
High  School  Students.  Kirkwood’s  High  School  Career  Academy  partnerships  with  local  area  high  schools  include  
worksite  and  work  based  learning  and  individual  career  planning.    Middle  school  and  high  school  students  in  Iowa  
engage  in  career  interest  inventories  through  the  “ihaveaplaniowa”  web  inventory  and  career  interest  tool.  Local  school  
districts  share  the  district’s  aggregate  results  with  Kirkwood  when  planning  for  new  and  modifying  current  college  credit  
course  offerings  and  career  academies.      
 
College  Students.  Since  2006,  Kirkwood  Community  College  has  implemented  an  Employer  Job  Site.    
• Over  3,500  employers  are  posting  jobs  to  the  Job  Site  
• A  total  of  6,831  college  students  have  registered  on  the  Job  Site  since  July  2006  
• A  total  of  11,930  times  Alumni/Community  Member  resumes  have  been  viewed  by  an  
employer  since  July  2006  
• Total  of  18,870  times  student  resumes  have  been  viewed  by  an  employer  since  July  2006  
 
JOBS  411  events  are  conducted  each  semester  that  features  employer  panels  that  inform  students  about  employers  and  
employment  opportunities.  A  Career  Fair  is  held  each  fall  hosting  60  plus  employers.    
 
7. Develop  a  systematic  approach  to  identify  and  recruit  employees  to  Iowa  from  outside  the  state  and  region.  
 
Since  2007,  the  Iowa  New  Jobs  Training  Program  has  supported  the  creation  of  4,242  jobs  with  78  companies  new  to  
the  region  or  expanding  in  the  region.    Average  hourly  wage  rates  increased  from  $16.41  per  hour  in  2007  to  $23.20  in  
2010.      
 
Iowa  New  Jobs  Training  Program  2007  -­‐  2010  
  Number  of       Average  
  Participating   Number  of   Average   Annual  
Year   Companies   Jobs   Hourly  Wage   Wage  
2007   24   1703   $16.41   $34,133  
2008   21   1249   $20.91   $43,493  
2009   13   579   $18.84   $39,187  
2010   20   711   $23.20   $48,256  
 
Iowa  New  Jobs  Training  Program  2007  –  2010:  Industry  Sector  Distribution  
Companies   Research  &   Wholesale/   Information     Financial   Professional  
Development   Distribution   Technology   Manufacturing   Services   Services  
78   7   10   5   26   3   27  
 
 
  

ICAD  and  Priority  One  conducted  the  following  campaigns  to  target  and  recruit  employees  to  Iowa:  
• Partnered  with  Corridorcareers.com  to  outreach  to  IT/  Engineering  candidates,  Healthcare/  Nursing  candidates  
and  those  exiting  the  military  with  skills  that  local  employers  can  utilize.  
• Conducted  a  Corridorgreetings.com  campaign  encouraging  local  individuals  to  reach  out  to  family  members  to  
remind  them  of  the  benefits  of  living  in  the  corridor.    
• Conducted  an  outreach  campaign  to  RAGBRAI  participants.  
• Attended  the  Chicago  event  in  partnership  with  the  University  of  Iowa  Alumni  Association  to  outreach  to  Iowa  
graduates  who  may  want  to  return  to  Iowa.    
• Updated  the  Pick  Your  Pace  packets  and  created  an  accompanying  website,  www.pickyourpace.com,  for  
employers  to  use  when  targeting  candidates  from  outside  the  state  or  region.  This  site  allows  local  companies  
to  create  personalized  landing  pages.  
• Attended  over  50  out-­‐of-­‐state  career  fairs  talking  to  students  about  relocating  to  the  Corridor  for  employment  
opportunities.      
• Launched  a  website,  MyTernNow.com,  to  inform  the  next  generation  of  workers  relocating  to  the  community  
about  information  regarding  housing,  cost  of  living,  climate,  and  quality  of  life.      
 
8. Provide  wage  and  benefit  data  to  our  existing  companies  on  a  regular  basis,  to  aid  them  in  their  recruitment  and  
retention  work.  
 
ICAD  and  Priority  One  provided  the  following  data  to  area  employers:  
• The  Corridor  Laborshed  and  Benefit  Surveys  were  updated  in  2008  and  2010.    These  reports  focused  on  regional  
data.  
• Purchased  the  Chmura  JobsEQ  system  which  allows  convenient  access  to  updated  wage  and  occupation  data  for  
employers  in  the  region.  This  data  is  utilized  by  employers,  company  prospects,  and  expanding  businesses.  
 
9. Encourage  and  assist  area  employers  to  create  a  workplace  culture  that  embraces  a  diversified  workforce.  
 
Established  in  2005,  Diversity  Focus  is  a  nonprofit  organization  that  coordinates  local  activities  and  identifies  
opportunities  that  support  communication,  programming  and  connecting  people  to  enhance  diversity  and  inclusion  
within  the  community.    Today,  Diversity  Focus  is  the  go-­‐to  organization  for  promoting  awareness  and  inclusiveness.    
From  the  "FindIt"  function  on  their  website  to    Diversity  and  Inclusion  training,  DF  Ambassadors,  Student  Diversity  
Leadership  Conferences  and  most  recently,  Courageous  Leaders  Conferences  to  the  widely  acclaimed  and  highly  
successful  SHIFT*  Speakers  Series:  Driving  Diversity  as  a  Vehicle  for  Success,  and  currently  Diversity  Focus  Radio  
Moments  all  provide  awareness  and  build  diversity  and  inclusion  skills.    Using  the  commissioned,  Corridor  Diversity  
Climate  Study,  Diversity  Focus  has  worked  to  understand  the  changing  workforce  environment  and  put  together  a  plan  
of  work  conducive  to  enhancing  and  embracing  that  change.  
 
The  Military  to  Civilian  Transition  Workshop  was  held  in  March  2008  to  educate  employers  on  the  assets  of  the  returning  
military  candidate  which  may  come  from  diverse  backgrounds  or  have  disabilities  that  need  accommodations.    In  
partnership  with  the  Iowa  SHRM  board,  EIHRA,  ESGR  and  ECI,  Priority  One  and  ICAD  are  coordinating  a  series  of  webinar  
workshops  to  cover  similar  topics  in  March  2011.    Additionally,  a  job  fair  in  partnership  with  IowaWORKS  will  be  planned  
for  individuals  who  are  returning  from  recent  deployment  in  the  guard  and  reserve.