Human

In addition to incorporating education and workforce policy priorities into annual state and federal agendas, Central Iowa should be prepared to act quickly to work with elected officials to discuss pending votes. This was the case during a recent legislative session when EDGE built a coalition of partners, including district superintendents and the state’s teachers union, to engage in conversations with elected officials about the school funding bill.

Central Iowa employers have long been engaged in talent development through roles on workforce boards, Central Iowa Works, the Business/Education Alliance (BEA) of Greater Des Moines, the Greater Des Moines Partnership efforts, the United Way of Central Iowa board and other directorships, partnerships with one or more schools and institutions, and now, the EDGE initiative. Even with such sustained and robust interactions between the demand (companies) and supply (institutions) sides of talent development, stakeholders say even more can be done to ensure that the private sector is engaged in, informs, and leverages the work of education and training providers.

The early childhood period is critical to the future educational success of all youth. Because the brain is fully developed at age three, our team is working to ensure that children and parents in Central Iowa have access to healthcare and early childhood education. Many families, especially those headed by single parents, are at a disadvantage for early childhood services because of resource limitations or a parent who is in school or working full-time. Beyond care for newborns and infants, studies have found that children who participate in preschool classes or programs enter elementary school better prepared for success.

Elementary school years can establish learning patterns that stay with children throughout their educational careers. These often are the years when young children become socialized and begin to grasp the concepts of teamwork and personal responsibility. Support for children and families during elementary school will lay the groundwork for success in middle school and beyond.

Middle school is the period where many children permanently disengage from academics. If you do not reach a child by middle school, many experts claim, the chances that he or she ever will be successful academically plummet. Many of the same strategies for supporting elementary school students extend into their middle school years. Though the intent of the programs is similar, the strategies to engage and enhance academic performance become more challenging as students approach their teenage years.

High schools around the country are experimenting with new training models and programs designed to effectively transition their students to college and careers. Thousands of campuses and entire districts are sending their students to local employers, who are dependent on enhanced workforce availability in terms of numbers and skills.  

At the most basic level, high school students should be provided the tools necessary to enter college or the workplace primed to succeed. United Way of Central Iowa, the Greater Des Moines Partnership, Central Iowa Works, and numerous other partners are collaborating to achieve these goals. Changing demographics in the region are leading to the creation of new and ever-evolving strategies.

Data showing subpar completion rates for many two- and four-year colleges are highlighting an important realization: It is not just enough to get kids into college; they must be supported with the same wrap-around services as in high school to ensure that they earn their degrees. Though resources to accomplish this goal are always at a premium, many of the same organizations supporting high school completion also are dedicated to working with colleges and universities to best prepare regional graduates for careers with Central Iowa companies.

Multiple programs, providers, and support entities currently act as resources for adults in Central Iowa seeking completion of their high school and/or college degrees. Reaching ambitious attainment goals will require the hard work and network of our many partners and volunteers. Central Iowa’s well-established history of collaboration across public, private, and nonprofit sectors improves the likelihood that the projected number of completions will be accomplished.

Many Central Iowa residents who could benefit from participation in training programs or are interested in seeking employment are unable to do so due to challenges, including limited transportation access and lack of affordable child care. To maximize degree, certificate, and credential attainment, corresponding efforts to enable adults to access these programs will be necessary.