Podcast
Mission: Employable
Hosted by Iowa Workforce Development · EN
Check out the Iowa Workforce Development "Mission: Employable" Podcast where we discuss all things workforce and opportunity!
21episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Episode 211 - Iowa Office of Apprenticeship One Year Anniversary
Jul 1, 202500:26:24Tap to summarizeIowa has always been a major supporter of Registered Apprenticeships, but that commitment grew even further when the state took over apprenticeship oversight from the U.S. Department of Labor in June of 2024. Iowa Office of Apprenticeship Program Director Dane Sulentic joins the podcast to talk about what the IOA has accomplished in the last year, lessons learned, and what Iowan's can expect from the IOA in the next 365 days.
Transcribe →Episode 205: On the Road in Sioux City Part 1 – Thompson Solutions
Apr 8, 202500:19:55Tap to summarizeThis week, the hosts of the Mission: Employable podcast hit the road for more conversations about Iowa’s workforce! Ben Oldach and Kathy Leggett head out for a multi part series highlighting different employers and programs in Sioux City, IA! The first episode features Jennifer Stanwick-Klimek, Manager of Learning and Development at Thompson Solutions. With more openings than employees to fill them, Stanwick-Klimek shares how their internship program is helping fill electrical and mechanical contractor roles. The company is all in, seeing this not just as a solution for the short term, but a tool to help them build their future roster of employees.
Transcribe →Spring Cleaning
Mar 18, 202500:02:02Tap to summarizeBen is here with a quick update about some changes to the podcast schedule in March and April.
Transcribe →Episode 204 – Disability Employment with the Harkin Institute
Mar 11, 202500:20:28Tap to summarizeThe Harkin Institute, a non-partisan think tank established at Drake University, is a leader in developing disability workforce policy. Daniel Van Sant, Director of Disability Policy, joins the podcast to talk about an international summit the institute held in Washington D.C. and how some of the topics of discussion coming from that summit can help Iowa businesses lead the way on hiring Iowans with disabilities.
Transcribe →Episode 203 – Ironworker Apprenticeship Builds More Than Just Buildings
Feb 25, 202500:22:30Tap to summarizeDes Moines’ Ironworkers Union is hard at work across the metro building the structures that will eventually turn into the buildings where we live, work, and hang out. However, they’re also using an apprenticeship program to build lifelong careers from the ground up. Ironworkers local 67 Apprenticeship and Training Coordinator Ed Bleimehl drops by the podcast to talk about how his apprentices develop throughout the program, and how some of their experiences can help other industries that might just be starting an apprenticeship program of their own.
Transcribe →Episode 202 - Urban Farming Teaches Employability Skills
Feb 11, 202500:20:33Tap to summarizeThe YSS Rooftop Gardens program is producing thousands of heads of lettuce, but its' more important export is the employability skills young adults need to change their lives. Started in 2024, the garden employs several groups of at-risk youth to grow hydroponic romaine lettuce which is then sold at farmers markets and select Hy-Vee stores. Hear from program founder Samanthya Marlatt as she disccuses how they use a combination of real world experience and classroom learning to teach these young adults about employability, and find out how they've already seen results after students graduate the program. For more information on the program go to https://www.yss.org/rooftopgardens/
Transcribe →Episode 201 - A New Healthcare Grant for Employers
Jan 31, 202500:18:33Tap to summarizeA New healthcare grant designed to help employers develop or expand their earn and learn programs is open for applications! Kathy Leggett, title, sits across the table with Mission: Employable podcast host, Ben Oldach, to discuss the ins and outs of the grant. Who can apply? How much money is available? And how can earn and learn programs help employers grow their staff for years to come? Get answers to these and more along with information about applying to the new healthcare grant in this episode.
Transcribe →Episode 200 - A New Deputy in Town
Jan 14, 202500:24:36Tap to summarizeMission Employable celebrates its 200th episode with a brand-new face! Newly hired Iowa Workforce Development Deputy Director Georgia Van Gundy joins the pod to introduce herself to the state and discuss what her past experiences will bring to the department. Find out why the former Executive Director of the Iowa Business Council tells us the unemployment rate isn’t the only number we should be paying attention to.
Transcribe →Episode 199 – Helping English Language Learners Jumpstart their Career
Dec 10, 202400:25:10Tap to summarizeLearning English can be a challenge, but learning career specific terminology and slang can be even more challenging. Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) is here to help solve some of those problems with its Jumpstart program. Michelle Schott, Integrated Education and Training Coordinator at DMACC, joins the Mission: Employable podcast and shares about the program that is helping English language learners talk the talk in their career fields. Find out how employers can use the program to help set their staff up for success and how Jumpstart works to specialize language learning for specific career fields.
Transcribe →Episode 198 - The Iowa Office of Apprenticeship
Nov 22, 202400:21:14Tap to summarizeIowa Workforce Development has been a champion for Registered Apprenticeship Programs for years now, but now IWD will be even more involved in how these programs operate across the state. Kolby Knupp, Program Manager at the Iowa Office of Apprenticeship joins the podcast to talk about how the state is taking over Registered Apprenticeships from the Federal Department of Labor, and what that means for employers and future apprentices in Iowa.
Transcribe →