ICR Future Coalition Launches Campaign to Increase Engagement and Opportunities for Work-Based Learning

ICR Future launched a new campaign during the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance Annual meeting on January 24 to increase business engagement for work-based learning. These efforts are in support of a regional goal to increase high school student job shadow and internship participation by 650 experiences in AREA 10 by the end of 2020. The campaign is one of the coalitions’ core goals towards building the future workforce in the seven-county region. 

“ICR employers are struggling to find their needed workforce,” said Jennifer Daly, president and CEO for ICR IOWA. “We must work together to expose students in our region at an earlier age to high-demand careers and the educational pathway required to pursue those careers if we want to reduce our workforce challenges in the future.” 

WLC, a member of the ICR Future Coalition, facilitates the placement of a majority of high school students currently completing job shadows or internships in our seven-county service region. With only one in four eligible high school students engaged in work-based learning and regional school districts focused on increasing student engagement in career connected learning, the campaign aims to increase the number of employers offering opportunities to better meet program demands and requests for placements. 




Is your organization interested in offering new or expanded high school internship or job shadow opportunities? Learn more here.

 

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Financial Literacy Fair Volunteer Portal Now Open

WLC is launching preparations for the 2019 Financial Literacy Fairs. Area business partners and community members can sign up to volunteer for the annual WLC Financial Literacy Fair. 

WLC’s Financial Literacy Fair is a unique opportunity for community volunteers to work with area middle school students.

“Financial literacy is more important than ever.  We, as adults, can make good use of our financial knowledge by sharing it with more than 5,400 eighth graders this spring. Please consider joining other business and community members to assist Workplace Learning Connection with Financial Literacy Fairs that will be held in April and May.” – Jean Knepper, CCUE, 1st VP/Director of Community Relations at University of Iowa Community Credit Union

WLC will host nearly 5,300 eighth grade students from Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Jones, Johnson, Linn, and Washington counties at these events. The 2019 Financial Literacy Fairs will be held April 16 in Iowa County, April 17 in Washington County, April 22 – 26 in Johnson County and May 6 – 17 in Linn County. 

Become a volunteer today at WLC.

 

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Southeast Iowa STEM HUB Scale Up

Since 2011, the Iowa STEM Council has vetted high quality STEM programs available to Iowa educators. The 2019-20 Scale-Up Program Menu has been released and educators can apply now through March 4. The Scale-Up Program Menu ranges from coding programs to hands-on biotechnology and agriculture projects to STEM career exploration. All programs support the statewide efforts to inform and encourage K-12 students to explore and pursue high-demand, rewarding STEM-related careers.

Educators from both in-school and out-of-school settings are encouraged to apply. Each program provides professional development and materials to implement the program. Some programs also provide an educator stipend, lodging, and meals. More information about what is provided for each program can be found by clicking on the program title within the menu.

For more information about the process or the program, contact Kristine Bullock.

 

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Linn County STEM Festival

Looking for a fun, educational, and FREE family event? Check out the Linn County STEM Festival on Tuesday, February 26, from 4 – 7 p.m. at the Kirkwood Linn County Regional Center, 1770 Boyson Rd, Hiawatha. 

In its fifth year, the Linn County STEM Festival welcomes over 1,000 attendees from all across Eastern Iowa, not just Linn County.

“This is an opportunity not only for students to engage in STEM activities, but their parents as well. The festival is an excellent way for local businesses and organizations to spread the word about STEM in their workplace and how students can pursue STEM careers. It’s never too early to start thinking about your future options,” shares Kristine Bullock, southeast Iowa STEM regional manager.

STEM events are impacting student career interests in the region according to Laurie Worden, director of Workplace Learning Connection. “In the last five years, WLC has delivered services to meet a 55 percent increase in demand for STEM-related career experiences to AREA 10 students and educators. We correlate that growth in interest to activities like our regional STEM Festivals and Institutes that are encouraging students to explore high demand STEM careers.” 

Interested in attending the Linn County STEM Festival, register here.


   

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Linn County Regional Center 1770 Boyson Road, Hiawatha, Iowa 52233 319-398-1040  |  319-398-1041 (fax)

Kirkwood Regional Center at the University of Iowa 2301 Oakdale Blvd., Coralville, Iowa 52241 319-887-3970  |  319-358-3102 (fax)