In today’s competitive job market, employers need effective and efficient resources to find skilled employees.
IowaWORKS can help.
Our Business Services team helps employers develop a customized recruitment strategy that includes: hiring events, career fairs (in-person or virtual), job boards, high school career expos, social media postings, promotional materials and outreach to targeted populations.
IowaWORKS offers the largest online job bank in the State of Iowa, at times, with more than 80,000 jobs posted. Our team can help you set up a free account to create your job listings and search for qualified candidates. You also can access statewide and national labor market information to learn about economic trends, occupations, wage rates and projected job outlooks.
Do you need more information about the latest hiring trends? The Employers’ Council of Iowa (ECI) is a group of employers working in partnership with Iowa Workforce Development to meet the needs of businesses and provide expert information on issues that affect the business community. Local and state workshops are held throughout the year to educate employers on those developing trends. You can learn more at www.iowaworforcedevelopment.gov/eci.
Our team also can help you explore ways to attract talent through a Registered Apprenticeship (RA) program. The employer-driven model pairs on-the-job training with related classroom instruction. It is a proven solution for recruiting, training and retaining world-class talent. RA programs range from skilled trades to growing professions such as healthcare, information technology, transportation, logistics, advanced manufacturing and energy.
Work-Based Learning is a unique recruitment opportunity for employers to explore. IowaWORKS offers two programs: the Work Experience Program (WEP) and the On-The-Job Training Program (OJT). IowaWORKS pays eligible participants in a WEP. They also receive job coaching from our Career Navigators. Participants also could qualify for help with mileage, transportation, uniforms and childcare. The OJT program provides employers a reimbursement of up to 50% of the participants’ wages during training.
Did you know veterans are skilled job candidates? IowaWORKS can help employers identify and hire qualified veterans by translating military experience into civilian job qualifications. Once a veteran is hired, we will continue to offer support and training to help with the transition to civilian life. We encourage businesses to become a Home Base Iowa Employer to support the hiring of veterans.
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) also is available for employers that hire individuals from eligible target groups such as veterans, ex-felons, long-term unemployment recipients, food stamp and welfare recipients, and people with disabilities. An employer can register for an account at iowaworks.gov.
IowaWORKS provides all of these services to assist you with your workforce needs. Let us know how we can help you.
In the Quad Cities region, contact IowaWORKS at (563) 445-3200, Option 3 or Extension 43311; visit its center at 1801A E. Kimberly Road, Davenport; or find it online at iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov and Facebook.
Martha Garcia-Tappa is an IowaWORKS business marketing specialist.
