The Iowa State Fair is right around the corner and our workforce team will be there to meet with Fairgoers! IWD Director (and State Fair super fan) Beth Townsend joins the show to talk about why she believes it’s so important to be out in the community at one of Iowa’s largest events. Find out what you can expect when you meet our team in person, as well as what State Fair food we look forward to each year! 

The Iowa State Fair is right around the corner and our workforce team will be there to meet with Fairgoers! IWD Director (and State Fair super fan) Beth Townsend joins the show to talk about why she believes it’s so important to be out in the community at one of Iowa’s largest events. Find out what you can expect when you meet our team in person, as well as what State Fair food we look forward to each year!

Episode 167 –  We'll see you at the Iowa State Fair!

 Hiring Veterans and their spouses is one of the workforce priorities at Iowa Workforce Development.  Iowa now has a job portal that makes it easier for this talent pool to connect with Veteran-ready employers across the state! Jamie Norton, Director of Veteran Workforce Services, talks about the new IowaWORKS for Veterans portal and how it connects Veterans and their spouses to great employment opportunities in Iowa.   

Hiring Veterans and their spouses is one of the workforce priorities at Iowa Workforce Development.  Iowa now has a job portal that makes it easier for this talent pool to connect with Veteran-ready employers across the state! Jamie Norton, Director of Veteran Workforce Services, talks about the new IowaWORKS for Veterans portal and how it connects Veterans and their spouses to great employment opportunities in Iowa.

Episode 166 – Making Iowa a Leader in Veteran Employment

Ever thought about starting your own business? Iowa is the perfect state for entrepreneurs to set up shop. Diana Wright, Start-up Community Builder at the Greater Des Moines Partnership, stops by the studio to talk about all the resources available to someone looking to start their own business in Iowa. From grant funding to investors, this episode has it all! 

Ever thought about starting your own business? Iowa is the perfect state for entrepreneurs to set up shop. Diana Wright, Start-up Community Builder at the Greater Des Moines Partnership, stops by the studio to talk about all the resources available to someone looking to start their own business in Iowa. From grant funding to investors, this episode has it all!

Episode 165 – Growing Entrepreneurs in Iowa

Work-based learning is gaining momentum in Iowa, making the way to help high school students explore careers before they graduate. Grant Hegstad, Career Experiences Coordinator at MOC-Floyd Valley Community School District, explains how they created a program where students can get professional experience with local employers. Find out how the school district is supporting the local workforce with innovative projects in and out of the classroom. 

Work-based learning is gaining momentum in Iowa, making the way to help high school students explore careers before they graduate. Grant Hegstad, Career Experiences Coordinator at MOC-Floyd Valley Community School District, explains how they created a program where students can get professional experience with local employers. Find out how the school district is supporting the local workforce with innovative projects in and out of the classroom.

Episode 164 – Finding your niche through work-based learning

Sometimes a temporary position can lead to a long-term job opportunity. Christine Salem, Client Relations Manager at Aventure Staffing, explains how a hiring agency can help with staffing needs, ranging from temporary hires to executive-level hiring. Find out more about how staffing agencies work closely with businesses to find both short-term and long-term solutions to their workforce needs.   

Sometimes a temporary position can lead to a long-term job opportunity. Christine Salem, Client Relations Manager at Aventure Staffing, explains how a hiring agency can help with staffing needs, ranging from temporary hires to executive-level hiring. Find out more about how staffing agencies work closely with businesses to find both short-term and long-term solutions to their workforce needs.

Episode 163 – Temporary Jobs to Permanent Solutions

Women make up about 11% of the construction workforce nationally and Iowa is working to add to that number. Steph Reed, Director of Operations at Embarq Signature Homes, discusses how the construction industry can create more opportunities and how mentorship plays a big role in both developing and retaining talent from underrepresented populations.  

Women make up about 11% of the construction workforce nationally and Iowa is working to add to that number. Steph Reed, Director of Operations at Embarq Signature Homes, discusses how the construction industry can create more opportunities and how mentorship plays a big role in both developing and retaining talent from underrepresented populations.

Episode 162 – Building up Women in the Construction Industry

It’s no secret that a strong child care system is key to supporting a strong workforce. Sheri Penney, Employment Engagement Director for the Iowa Women’s Foundation, talks about some of the creative ways employers and communities are working together to solve local child care challenges. Find out how members of a small Iowa community have worked together to raise their child care workers’ pay by over two dollars an hour, and how your community can get started on similar solutions.   

It’s no secret that a strong child care system is key to supporting a strong workforce. Sheri Penney, Employment Engagement Director for the Iowa Women’s Foundation, talks about some of the creative ways employers and communities are working together to solve local child care challenges. Find out how members of a small Iowa community have worked together to raise their child care workers’ pay by over two dollars an hour, and how your community can get started on similar solutions.

Episode 161 – Working Together on Iowa’s Child Care System

Apprenticeships are an integral part of how trade unions recruit, train, and retain skilled workers. Andy Roberts, Business Director for the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 33, joins the show to talk about training and employment opportunities available in high-demand careers. Find out what exactly a “steamfitter” is and how the Local 33 is working to encourage women and underrepresented populations consider an apprenticeship in the trades.

Apprenticeships are an integral part of how trade unions recruit, train, and retain skilled workers. Andy Roberts, Business Director for the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 33, joins the show to talk about training and employment opportunities available in high-demand careers. Find out what exactly a “steamfitter” is and how the Local 33 is working to encourage women and underrepresented populations consider an apprenticeship in the trades.

Episode 160 – Apprenticeships Are Gaining Steam in Iowa

 Direct Care workers are a vital part of Iowa’s health care industry because the need for them is expected to grow 19% by the year 2040.  Di Findley, Executive Director of the Iowa CareGivers Association, talks about how this high-demand career impacts Iowans who need some of the most personalized care.  Find out how the Iowa CareGivers Association can help employers hire direct care workers to fill gaps in various health care positions.   

Direct Care workers are a vital part of Iowa’s health care industry because the need for them is expected to grow 19% by the year 2040.  Di Findley, Executive Director of the Iowa CareGivers Association, talks about how this high-demand career impacts Iowans who need some of the most personalized care.  Find out how the Iowa CareGivers Association can help employers hire direct care workers to fill gaps in various health care positions.

Episode 159 – Direct and to the Point

Veterans and their spouses are part of a skilled talent pool that can be the perfect match for employers.  Kandi Tillman, Director of 50 Strong, shares her personal connection to the Veteran community and how it inspired her to establish an organization that helps match Veterans and their spouses with rewarding career opportunities. Find out how the Arizona-based organization promotes networking opportunities to help Iowa businesses find skilled workers.   

Veterans and their spouses are part of a skilled talent pool that can be the perfect match for employers.  Kandi Tillman, Director of 50 Strong, shares her personal connection to the Veteran community and how it inspired her to establish an organization that helps match Veterans and their spouses with rewarding career opportunities. Find out how the Arizona-based organization promotes networking opportunities to help Iowa businesses find skilled workers.

Episode 158 – Networking with Veteran Talent

Check out the Iowa Workforce Development "Mission: Employable" Podcast where we discuss all things workforce and opportunity!

Community health care workers can help bridge the gap when it comes to Iowa’s health care workforce.  Angie Doyle Scar from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, and Deb Kazmerzak, Program Director at the Iowa Chronic Care Consortium, help define what a community health care worker is, and how they are using a federal grant to train workers in Iowa. 

Community health care workers can help bridge the gap when it comes to Iowa’s health care workforce.  Angie Doyle Scar from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, and Deb Kazmerzak, Program Director at the Iowa Chronic Care Consortium, help define what a community health care worker is, and how they are using a federal grant to train workers in Iowa.

Episode 157 – Community Health Care, Community Solutions

Women only make up 4% of the trades workforce nationally, but Iowa is trying to grow that number. Samantha Groark, Executive Director of Central Iowa Building Trades, joins the show to talk about the upcoming Women in Trades Conference on March 4. Find out what makes events like this one so valuable and hear her pitch to women who are considering a career in this high-demand industry.   

Women only make up 4% of the trades workforce nationally, but Iowa is trying to grow that number. Samantha Groark, Executive Director of Central Iowa Building Trades, joins the show to talk about the upcoming Women in Trades Conference on March 4. Find out what makes events like this one so valuable and hear her pitch to women who are considering a career in this high-demand industry.

Episode 156 – Women in the Trades

The new year provides new opportunities for Iowans looking for their dream job and we’re here to help!  Listen in as Career Planner Team Lead Jennifer DiOrio shares some of her favorite tips for resume writing, virtual interviews, and more! Find out just how many helpful career resources are available at no cost to you at our IowaWORKS Centers across the state. 

The new year provides new opportunities for Iowans looking for their dream job and we’re here to help!  Listen in as Career Planner Team Lead Jennifer DiOrio shares some of her favorite tips for resume writing, virtual interviews, and more! Find out just how many helpful career resources are available at no cost to you at our IowaWORKS Centers across the state.

Episode 155 – Job Hunting Tips for the New Year

 Sometimes a second chance is what it takes for someone to jumpstart their career journey.  We sit down with Joseph Johnson, Founder and CEO of Change Course, a new Des Moines-based non-profit that helps those who want to leave addiction, incarceration, or other barriers to employment in their rear-view mirror. Find out why Joseph says this mission is personal to him, and how Change Course is preparing its participants to enter the workforce. 

Sometimes a second chance is what it takes for someone to jumpstart their career journey.  We sit down with Joseph Johnson, Founder and CEO of Change Course, a new Des Moines-based non-profit that helps those who want to leave addiction, incarceration, or other barriers to employment in their rear-view mirror. Find out why Joseph says this mission is personal to him, and how Change Course is preparing its participants to enter the workforce.

Episode 154 – A Chat With Change Course

Employers looking for a fresh start in the New Year can find what they're looking for with our Business Engagement Team. Maria Morales, a Business Engagement Consultant, discusses how Iowa employers can meet with IowaWORKS' team of experts to find hiring and training solutions. Maria also shares how the Business Engagement services are customized for every employer and shares some of the successes she has seen first-hand. 

Employers looking for a fresh start in the New Year can find what they're looking for with our Business Engagement Team. Maria Morales, a Business Engagement Consultant, discusses how Iowa employers can meet with IowaWORKS' team of experts to find hiring and training solutions. Maria also shares how the Business Engagement services are customized for every employer and shares some of the successes she has seen first-hand.

Episode 153 – New Year, New Business Solutions!

 It’s a new year with new voices on the Mission: Employable Podcast! As we welcome 2023, we also say thank you to host Ryan West, who is handing over the podcast to Ben Oldach and Kathy Leggett. Ben has been with Mission: Employable since the beginning as the producer. Kathy has been with Iowa Workforce Development for five years leading the Future Ready Iowa initiative and shifting into the new Business Engagement team. They are joining forces to continue the conversation on all things workforce here in Iowa.   

It’s a new year with new voices on the Mission: Employable Podcast! As we welcome 2023, we also say thank you to host Ryan West, who is handing over the podcast to Ben Oldach and Kathy Leggett. Ben has been with Mission: Employable since the beginning as the producer. Kathy has been with Iowa Workforce Development for five years leading the Future Ready Iowa initiative and shifting into the new Business Engagement team. They are joining forces to continue the conversation on all things workforce here in Iowa.

Episode 152 – New Year, New Hosts!

As the year comes to an end we want to wish a very special thank you to all of the guests who appeared on the Mission: Employable Podcast. We have some exciting changes planned for 2022 including two new hosts and new workforce success stories! Thanks for being with us this year and we'll see you in January!

As the year comes to an end we want to wish a very special thank you to all of the guests who appeared on the Mission: Employable Podcast. We have some exciting changes planned for 2022 including two new hosts and new workforce success stories! Thanks for being with us this year and we'll see you in January!

Episode 151 - That's a Wrap on 2022

Iowa needs construction workers and a new training school can make it easier than ever to join the growing career field. Perlla Deluca and Joseph Cichowski, founders of the Iowa School of Construction, talk about how their pilot program will help usher in the newest crop of construction talent in Iowa! 

Iowa needs construction workers and a new training school can make it easier than ever to join the growing career field. Perlla Deluca and Joseph Cichowski, founders of the Iowa School of Construction, talk about how their pilot program will help usher in the newest crop of construction talent in Iowa!

Episode 150 – Building talent at the Iowa School of Construction

Bridgestone Firestone is looking to grow their workforce with more than 100 openings ranging from production line workers to salaried employees at their Des Moines location. HR Specialist Trevor Brothers discusses how the company is getting the word out about job opportunities, and how recruitment has changed for them over the years.   

Bridgestone Firestone is looking to grow their workforce with more than 100 openings ranging from production line workers to salaried employees at their Des Moines location. HR Specialist Trevor Brothers discusses how the company is getting the word out about job opportunities, and how recruitment has changed for them over the years.

Episode 149 – How Bridgestone Firestone is Recruiting New Talent

We continue our celebration of National Apprenticeship Week by highlighting one of the most innovative apprenticeships in the nation: the Storm Lake Teacher/Paraeducator program. The program provides an alternative route toward a career in education, especially at a time when the need for teachers is greater than ever. Storm Lake Superintendent Stacey Cole joins the show to explain how the apprenticeship is recruiting and training the teachers of tomorrow.   

We continue our celebration of National Apprenticeship Week by highlighting one of the most innovative apprenticeships in the nation: the Storm Lake Teacher/Paraeducator program. The program provides an alternative route toward a career in education, especially at a time when the need for teachers is greater than ever. Storm Lake Superintendent Stacey Cole joins the show to explain how the apprenticeship is recruiting and training the teachers of tomorrow.

Episode 148 – When the student becomes the teacher

Mission: Employable

The best episodes for anyone looking to learn more about topics such as happiness, fulfillment, depression and psychology/mental health in general. With interviews with industry experts, personal stories of individuals, this topic has lessons applicable to everyone. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Episodes on Mental Health, Emotions & Thoughts

The best podcast episodes of the most interesting stories and things. From skyping someone while they're in space, to tracking down and meeting a telephone scammer in person, to the story of a Galapagos. These episodes will keep you and all your friends entertained and captivated for hours. Learn something new in every episode! Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!