U.S. Department of Labor awards $10.8M to Iowa community colleges

Iowa STRONG Initiative unites community colleges, Iowa Department of Education, and Iowa Workforce Development to build workforce Pell-eligible programs

WATERLOO-The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded $10,800,000 to a program focused on expanding short-term training programs and developing Workforce Pell-eligible programs at Iowa's community colleges.

Administered by the department's Employment and Training Administration, this sixth round of Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants funding is awarded to statewide community college systems, or a consortium of community colleges, to ensure effective development and expansion of the new programs and support the statewide coordination that is necessary for successful implementation of Workforce Pell Grants.

Iowa's project, named Iowa STRONG (Systems, Training, and Resources for Opportunity, Navigation, and Growth), is a united effort between Iowa's community colleges, the Iowa Department of Education, and Iowa Workforce Development (IWD). Hawkeye Community College will manage statewide implementation of the program, which aims to develop more than 50 Workforce Pell-eligible training programs in advanced manufacturing, construction and skilled trades, and healthcare by 2030.

As a funded consortium partner and subrecipient, Southwestern Community College (SWCC) in Creston will receive approximately $311,468 throughout the next four years to expand short-term training tied directly to workforce needs. The funding will specifically be used to qualify SWCC's Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) training programs for Workforce Pell opportunities.

Lindsay Stoaks, SWCC president, takes pride in the collaboration leading to this opportunity.

"Iowa's 15 community colleges have a long history of working together to secure federal grants that strengthen workforce training efforts," said Stoaks. "Southwestern is pleased to be a partner in the IowaSTRONG initiative, and we look forward to enhancing short-term training opportunities in CDL and EMS across southwest and south-central Iowa."

Iowa STRONG will enhance IWD's wage record reporting infrastructure, conduct employer outreach, and support statewide data integration and outcomes reporting.

The funding significantly contributes to national efforts to rapidly and effectively meet the hiring needs of employers, while also filling critical gaps in high-demand sectors, supporting skill gains, and worker mobility. These awards also break down existing silos between education and state workforce systems, with improved data integration, a key component of this round of funding.

For more information about Iowa STRONG, contact Constance Grimm, GPC, at (319) 296-4439 or [email protected].

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