One of business’ most important maxims came from management guru Peter Drucker, who said, “You can’t manage what you can’t measure.”
Since workforce is the top challenge for most of the Quad Cities business community, we appreciate Eastern Iowa Community College’s (EICC) recently completed Workforce Training and Development Survey 2025. It was presented at its Business and Industry Forum on Thursday, Oct. 16, at Scott Community College in Bettendorf.
That survey — conducted by EICC with 87 local employers — identified the most urgent training needs, barriers and opportunities shaping the regional workforce. EICC last conducted a similar workforce survey in 2010.
According to a QCBJ article on the survey, one top takeaway was: “Employers are asking for practical, people-centered training that equips workers to solve problems, manage time, and lead teams. Preparing supervisors with leadership skills and HR basics is a priority for strengthening retention and building pipelines.”
Another top theme: “Employers see digital fluency as essential. From Excel dashboards to robotics and AI, technology skills are a must for competitiveness.”
Emerging workforce needs identified data analytics, robotics, artificial intelligence training, automation and mechatronics, and skilled trades shortages in welding, process operators and machinists.
The good news is that some suggestions from the survey can be implemented in EICC classrooms “almost immediately,” said Bryan Renfro, EICC chancellor.
The community college system has always been a strong connection to training especially for the skilled trades and we appreciate its leadership for helping the region better understand our workforce needs.
Unfortunately, the overarching challenge is that our region still needs workers.
Nelson, ‘Titan of the community’ retires
Surviving and thriving as CEO of a public transportation entity in Illinois for 42 years takes immense political acumen, hard work and a keen understanding of your community and region. Those traits fit Jeff Nelson to a T.
“When I think of titans of the community, Jeff Nelson is right up there,” former U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, now a partner and co-chair of Mercury Public Affairs, told the QCBJ. “Smart, strategic, collaborator, results-focused, and kind. That’s Jeff Nelson. He has made a lasting difference in the Quad Cities.” (See story page 1.)
Under Mr. Nelson’s leadership, MetroLINK launched the Channel Cat Mississippi River passenger ferry service, switched to 100% eco-friendly buses, and was named the 2012 American Public Transportation Association’s Outstanding Public Transportation System of the Year among systems that carry 1 million to 4 million passengers annually.
Illinois state Sen. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, said, “I would like to congratulate Jeff on his retirement, though I am sad to see MetroLINK lose such a committed public servant. Jeff understands that if you can build quality public transit, you can lift up the whole community.”
Mr. Nelson finished his tenure as Illinois Quad-Cities MetroLINK’s longtime CEO and managing director earlier this month.
We hope Mr. Nelson’s successor, Benjamin Limmer, will be as successful and engaged. QCBJ
