Management: 'Support' is key to developing a work force

Hiring managers around the region tell us there is already a shortage of qualified, local talent in several sectors.

We also know that by the end of 2014 there will be nearly 12,000 new and replacement jobs that will need to be filled.

When hiring managers can find qualified candidates, everyone wins. Hiring qualified employees makes companies stronger, helps families and allows individuals to grow professionally.

It's a positive on many sides and helps us - and everyone, really - advance the common good.

That's one reason why United Way here in Cedar Rapids is partnering with Kirkwood Community College, businesses and community-based organizations to make the Kirkwood Pathways for Academic Career Education and Employment (KPACE) program a success.

This is a career pathway program that focuses on helping low-income individuals access the basic education they need to be prepared for and successfully complete a certificate program, leading to a diploma and then 2-year degree. Students in the program set education goals and are supported in developing a career map that they can easily follow.

This map includes estimated wages offered by employers per credential earned.

Building skills through this pathway approach supports the academic needs of students and can offer skilled candidates to employers.

The program is targeted at lower-income adults who with the right training can blossom, help themselves have a better life, and, just as importantly, help companies find skilled workers.

We know that people can advance when:

1 They have support.

2 They learn the basics.

3 Have the proper credentials.

4 They can afford training.

We understand that when one or more of these are missing, it can be nearly impossible for people to advance. Let's say a motivated person who has been down on his or her luck just can't afford to take a course in one of these fields.

A single mother with two children needs to make at least $43,644 annually to meet basic needs. Those kind of jobs exist in the Cedar Rapids area, but they are hard to get when you are missing the necessary training or credentials.

It can come down to your having to choose between feeding your children and yourself or spending that money on schooling.

But why should hiring managers care about this? Because this same person could be the right fit for a job you have open, but just wasn't able to get the training to qualify because she or he had to focus on meeting basic necessities.

Our partnership is trying to change some of those outcomes.

Kirkwood Community College has designated resources from existing grants and programs to assist KPACE students with tuition and training supplies. United Way has designated funds to address the support service needs of students as they increase their earnings and are no longer eligible for public benefits, however are not yet self-sufficient.

For more details on eligibility and potential costs to students, contact Bethany Parker, a Kirkwood pathway navigator, at (319) 365-9474, ext.31155.

The KPACE Program currently serves 22 students in three cohorts:

•  Welding
•  Business computing
•  Certified nurse aide.

Certified nursing assistant students recently finished classroom instructions and started their clinics at a health care facility in Cedar Rapids.

I caught up with two of those students. It was great to hear about the support that they are receiving and to hear about their dreams.

For my conversation with them feel free to visit: http://smgs.us/gbv.

You'll notice how “support” is mentioned in the video. We have found that support is very important for us as a community to move forward.

How can we all support each other? This is one way.

“Proper training is so important,'' said Al Hartl, president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union Local 110 in Cedar Rapids. “I appreciate United Way and its partners work on helping us build tomorrow's work force.

“When people are worrying about the basics, they can't focus on building their skills. These kinds of efforts will help everyone in the long run - the hiring manager, the employee and even families.”

Judy Stoffel, Community Building Manager, United Way of East Central Iowa

Phone: (319) 398-5372       Email: jstoffel@uweci.org

Hiring managers around the region tell us there is already a shortage of qualified, local talent in several sectors.

We also know that by the end of 2014 there will be nearly 12,000 new and replacement jobs that will need to be filled.

When hiring managers can find qualified candidates, everyone wins. Hiring qualified employees makes companies stronger, helps families and allows individuals to grow professionally.

It's a positive on many sides and helps us - and everyone, really - advance the common good.

That's one reason why United Way here in Cedar Rapids is partnering with Kirkwood Community College, businesses and community-based organizations to make the Kirkwood Pathways for Academic Career Education and Employment (KPACE) program a success.

This is a career pathway program that focuses on helping low-income individuals access the basic education they need to be prepared for and successfully complete a certificate program, leading to a diploma and then 2-year degree. Students in the program set education goals and are supported in developing a career map that they can easily follow.

This map includes estimated wages offered by employers per credential earned.

Building skills through this pathway approach supports the academic needs of students and can offer skilled candidates to employers.

The program is targeted at lower-income adults who with the right training can blossom, help themselves have a better life, and, just as importantly, help companies find skilled workers.

We know that people can advance when:

1 They have support.

2 They learn the basics.

3 Have the proper credentials.

4 They can afford training.

We understand that when one or more of these are missing, it can be nearly impossible for people to advance. Let's say a motivated person who has been down on his or her luck just can't afford to take a course in one of these fields.

A single mother with two children needs to make at least $43,644 annually to meet basic needs. Those kind of jobs exist in the Cedar Rapids area, but they are hard to get when you are missing the necessary training or credentials.

It can come down to your having to choose between feeding your children and yourself or spending that money on schooling.

But why should hiring managers care about this? Because this same person could be the right fit for a job you have open, but just wasn't able to get the training to qualify because she or he had to focus on meeting basic necessities.

Our partnership is trying to change some of those outcomes.

Kirkwood Community College has designated resources from existing grants and programs to assist KPACE students with tuition and training supplies. United Way has designated funds to address the support service needs of students as they increase their earnings and are no longer eligible for public benefits, however are not yet self-sufficient.

For more details on eligibility and potential costs to students, contact Bethany Parker, a Kirkwood pathway navigator, at (319) 365-9474, ext.31155.

The KPACE Program currently serves 22 students in three cohorts:

l Welding

l Business computing

l Certified nurse aide.

Certified nursing assistant students recently finished classroom instructions and started their clinics at a health care facility in Cedar Rapids.

I caught up with two of those students. It was great to hear about the support that they are receiving and to hear about their dreams.

For my conversation with them feel free to visit: http://smgs.us/gbv.

You'll notice how “support” is mentioned in the video. We have found that support is very important for us as a community to move forward.

How can we all support each other? This is one way.

“Proper training is so important,'' said Al Hartl, president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union Local 110 in Cedar Rapids. “I appreciate United Way and its partners work on helping us build tomorrow's work force.

“When people are worrying about the basics, they can't focus on building their skills. These kinds of efforts will help everyone in the long run - the hiring manager, the employee and even families.”