On January 29, 2018, Governor Kim Reynolds signed Executive Order No. 1 establishing the Iowa Clearinghouse for Work-Based Learning, which will launch by July 1, 2019. The purpose is to create more connections between employers and schools, including a virtual space where you can post projects for K-12 students from across the state to work with you to gain real-world, in-depth experience in business and industry. If you decide to post a project, our Clearinghouse team will facilitate your partnership with the school that selects it.
By expanding work-based learning and related opportunities, the Clearinghouse will help support the Future Ready Iowa goal of 70 percent of our workforce having education or training beyond high school by 2025. As you know, we have a shortage of skilled workers in the state and significant efforts are underway to help you meet your employment needs, both now and in the future. The Future Ready Iowa Alliance recommended increasing work-based learning, which helps students develop technical knowledge, soft skills and community connections.
To help us make the Clearinghouse as effective as possible, would you please complete a brief survey? The survey is designed to gauge your interest in participating in work-based learning for students and/or in related opportunities, such as providing guest speakers and job shadowing.
The Clearinghouse is jointly coordinated by the Iowa Department of Education, AEA Learning Online and Iowa Workforce Development. We believe the Clearinghouse will be a valuable tool in the short- and long-term to help more Iowans launch rewarding careers and employers hire the skilled workers you need. We know we can only achieve this goal if we all work together, including more businesses like yours participating in the development of our talent pipeline.
Please click the button above to take the survey and indicate your willingness to share information with the listed agencies. You will be prompted to enter the password you were provided on the letter that you received. The survey will take only a few minutes. We will follow up with you about next steps in the near future if you choose to participate. Thank you in advance for your interest and support.
If you need any assistance, have any questions, or would like a paper copy of this survey to fill out, please contact:
Jake Welchans, Project Manager, at (515) 281-5494 or jake.welchans@iowa.gov.