Iowa STRONG Initiative Unites Community Colleges, Iowa Department of Education and Iowa Workforce Development to Build Workforce Pell-Eligible Programs 

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–the largest award from this fund in the country. 

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 consortia 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. 

“This is important to Iowa because it connects federal investment, community college training, and the state’s workforce needs in a very direct way,” said Community Colleges for Iowa Executive Director Emily Shields. “Iowa is investing in a workforce training system that starts with what employers need and builds accessible pathways for Iowans to gain those skills.” 

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. 

“The federal investment in Workforce Pell is a huge step in creating a highly skilled workforce our employers need and preparing Iowans for high-demand and high-paying jobs,” said Todd Holcomb. “With the Iowa STRONG project, we are not only expanding short-term pathways into high-demand careers, but also establishing the robust data infrastructure needed to track outcomes, measure success, and ensure our training continues to meet the evolving needs of our workforce.” 

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.   

Contacts:

Iowa STRONG: Constance Grimm, GPC, can be reached at 319-296-4439 or  constance.grimm@hawkeyecollege.edu  

Community Colleges for Iowa: Emily Shields, Executive Director, can be reached at 515-282-4692 or eshields@ccforiowa.org  

 

Related Media:  

• US Department of Labor Press Release 

• Iowa Capital Dispatch: “Hawkeye Community College to lead Workforce Pell program expansion initiative” 

• KWWL: “Iowa community colleges get $10.8M to expand job training programs” 

• KCRG: “Iowa community colleges awarded nearly $11 million for workforce training program” 

• WQAD: “Eastern Iowa Community Colleges to receive $817K workforce training grant” 

• KQWC: “U.S. Department of Labor Awards $10.8 Million Grant to Iowa Community Colleges to Develop Training Pathways Aligned with Employer Demand” 

• KIWA: “NCC Receives $385,427 to Expand Workforce Training in Northwest Iowa” 

• Sioux County Radio: “NCC Receives $385,427 to Expand Workforce Training in Northwest Iowa” 

• Quad City Regional Business Journal: “EICC to get $817,000 for training programs” 

• Iowa’s News Now: “Hawkeye Community College to lead $10.8M Iowa workforce training initiative” 

• Cedar Valley Now: “Hawkeye Community College To Lead $10.8M Iowa Workforce Training Program” 

• Market Scale: “Hawkeye Community College to lead Iowa STRONG Workforce Pell push”