Mission: Employable
Check out the Iowa Workforce Development "Mission: Employable" Podcast where we discuss all things workforce and opportunity!
- Update frequency
- every 11 days
- Average duration
- 22 minutes
- Episodes
- 103
- Years Active
- 2022 - 2025
Episode 175 - Surveying the Field
Iowa Workforce Development's Labor Market Information Division is hard at work crunching Iowa's workforce numbers. On today's episode we sit down with LMI Bureau Chief Donna Burkett to talk about how…
Episode 174 - Celebrate National Apprenticeship Week with Iowa's New Apprenticeship Director
National Apprenticeship Week is a time to celebrate the employers and apprentices who have helped create a new pathway towards employment across the country. Here in Iowa, Dane Sulentic, is now Iowa …
Episode 173 - New Leadership for Iowa’s Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services has a new leader and he comes all the way from Texas. Division Administrator, Dr. James Williams, joins the Mission: Employable podcast to talk about how he pl…
Episode 172: National Disability Employment Awareness Month Part 2 - ISU Surplus Finds Success Hiring Iowans with Disabilities
Episode 171 - National Disability Employment Awareness Month Kick-Off
170: Pre-Apprenticeship Provides Career Pathways
Episode 169 - Rapid Response to Mass Layoffs
Mass layoffs at companies like Yellow Corp. often affect hundreds of employees. Iowa Workforce Development plays a major role in getting those people back to work. Lacie Kraft, Manager for IWD's Ra…
Episode 168 - MUSCO's Work Based Learning Program is in the Spotlight
Work-based learning can be a light bulb moment for businesses as they work to develop their talent pipeline. We’re joined by MUSCO Lighting Talent Outreach Manager Paula Wright as she talks about how…
Episode 167 – We'll see you at the Iowa State Fair!
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 …
Episode 166 – Making Iowa a Leader in Veteran Employment
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…
Episode 165 – Growing Entrepreneurs in Iowa
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…
Episode 164 – Finding your niche through work-based learning
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 Co…
Episode 163 – Temporary Jobs to Permanent Solutions
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, rang…
Episode 162 – Building up Women in the Construction Industry
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 constructio…
Episode 161 – Working Together on Iowa’s Child Care System
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 …
Episode 160 – Apprenticeships Are Gaining Steam in Iowa
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…
Episode 159 – Direct and to the Point
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 Associa…
Episode 158 – Networking with Veteran Talent
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 communit…
Episode 157 – Community Health Care, Community Solutions
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, Progra…
Episode 156 – Women in the Trades
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…