Building Iowa's Future Workforce Starts in the Classroom

As Iowa employers continue to face challenges finding skilled workers, one solution is already within reach — stronger partnerships with local schools.

Across the state, manufacturers, healthcare providers, agricultural businesses and skilled trades are searching for qualified employees. At the same time, many students graduate from high school without a clear understanding of the career opportunities available in their own communities. Bridging that gap benefits everyone, experts say.

Internships, job shadowing opportunities, classroom presentations and career mentorships give students experience in the workplace and help teach them about future careers available to them, said Meg Schneider, vice president of strategic initiatives and member engagement at Iowa ABI.

Worker shortages are not unique to Iowa – it’s a national issue,” Ms. Schneider said. “Engaging students and letting them know about opportunities in their own backyard, well the earlier that happens, the more impactful it can be.”

“We’re not in a position any longer where we have workers who are ready and waiting,” she added. “A decade ago, there would have been multiple applicants for every role and that’s not the case now.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Iowa has tens of thousands of job openings across the state, with many employers reporting difficulty finding qualified applicants. At the same time, national studies show that students who complete internships are more than twice as likely to receive a job offer after graduation, highlighting the value of early career exposure.

That’s been the case for Geater, a family-owned aerospace manufacturer based in Independence. The company hired at least five full-time employees who were high school or college graduates that participated in a job shadow or internship in the past year, said Melissa Trumbauer, Geater’s student and community outreach specialist.

Ms. Trumbauer works with local schools to give presentations explaining career fields and opportunities available to students including job shadows and internships. This year, the company hired 12 high school and college students for internships. The students were placed throughout several departments, she said, from machining and sheet metal to maintenance.

Students meet with department managers to learn about the different jobs and skills needed in each department. Managers then hold interviews with the students before placements are decided, Ms. Trumbauer said. Students have the option to move to additional departments if they’re interested in multiple things.

For businesses, strong partnerships with schools create pipelines to future talent, and ABI is working hard to facilitate these relationships. The organization has a variety of programs to help connect businesses with students from elementary school age to college age, Ms. Schneider said.

Crystals of Innovation is a board game that ABI and its members can take into classrooms to help students learn the importance of problem solving and teamwork as well as what skills are needed in different STEM careers. Designed by The Manufacturing Institute, the game is for students in grades four through nine, introducing them to concepts like additive manufacturing, aerospace engineering, electromechanical components, robotics and quality control.

So far, ABI has introduced the game to about 200 students across Iowa, including Oelwein, Marshalltown, Atlantic and Waterloo.

ABI staff also bring local businesses into the classroom to speak with students and build relationships, she said. Not all businesses are used to looking in that direction for future employees, and the game provides a fun and easy way to start conversations. Their presence also helps give students an idea on how these skills will transfer into real careers.

“When we first arrive in a class, the students kind of look at us, like, ‘what are you going to have us doing?,’” Ms. Schneider said. “By the end, they’re having a lot of fun. It opens their eyes to more possibilities in these areas.”

ABI also hosts programs for high school and college students aimed at introducing them to career pathways and connecting them with companies.

Business Horizons gives high school students a chance to work on a team to create and pitch a product. The five-day summer program has students stay overnight at a dorm, bringing in different speakers and taking the students on tours.

“There’s a personal transformation that happens,” Ms. Schneider said. “They really get into the project work and it’s so impressive what they’re able to accomplish.”

This year, students came up with the Comfort Cover, a cordless blanket that heated or cooled you depending on the environment, and the Mama Phone, an alarm that can use the sound of your parents’ voice to wake you up, she said.

Leadership Iowa University is aimed for college-aged students, who will soon be entering the workforce. It gives students the chance to explore different industries, through tours, panels with leaders, and resume and interview workshops with HR directors.

“We have a number of companies who want to be in front of students year over year,” Ms. Schneider said. “But we also keep the door open for folks who haven’t done it before.”

This past year, ABI also partnered with Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) to help with a professional development program, Teaching for the Workforce, Ms. Schneider said. K-12 educators connect with local businesses to better understand the regional economy and workforce needs through tours and professional panels. DMACC started the program three years ago, with ABI joining this past year.

“We will definitely be helping with that going forward,” she said. “We’re really trying to hit the full continuum.” ABI