Mission: Employable

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 resu…

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 h…

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 …

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 …

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…

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 Constructio…

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 Brot…

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…

We’re celebrating Registered Apprenticeship week by discussing how Mid-American Energy is building their workforce of the future through the Earn and Learn model. Stephen Simmons, Director of Trades …

Thinking of hiring a service member who is in the Iowa Guard or Reserve? Home Base Iowa program manager Jathan Chicoine and Becky Coady, State Chair of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, …

There are various programs designed to help Veterans and their families find employment post-service. Steve Olsen from the Department of Labor and Jamie Norton, Iowa Workforce Development Veterans Wo…

Interacting with the Veteran community doesn’t always come naturally to most businesses. Thankfully, Iowa Workforce Development is partnering with Psych Armor, a global training platform, to help emp…

Transitioning into the civilian workforce after military service can sometimes be challenging for Veterans. Vander Haag’s Human Resources Director Brad DeBoer shares how the trucking company is worki…

Iowa Western Community College is partnering with companies in growing sectors like manufacturing and healthcare to provide pathways for young workers to get hired right out of high school. IWCC Exec…

It never hurts to have a little extra help in your career pursuits. Jason Wiegand, Mentoring Program Manager at Volunteer Iowa, talks about a virtual mentorship program that is connecting Iowans acro…

Students at the University of Northern Iowa have great resources to help them enter workforce after graduation. Robert Frederick, Director of Career Services at UNI, shares how his team works with st…

Building a well-rounded and successful team means hiring people with different backgrounds and experiences. Find out how Kathy Anderson, our new Deputy Director of Business Engagement, is using her w…

Interns can be a valuable part of your company and set a foundation for a future talent pipeline. Learn about creating an internship program from two representatives at St. Anthony Hospital in Carrol…

Get a glimpse of our new Business Engagement Division as we continue our 100-day initiative to meet with employers statewide. Tim Goodwin, Business Engagement Division Administrator, walks us through…

Apprenticeship programs are becoming more common in industries that may surprise you. Veterinarian Dr. Jennifer Mathis joins the show to talk about how she started her own veterinary technician regis…