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

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.

Named Iowa Systems, Training, and Resources for Opportunity, Navigation, and Growth (Iowa STRONG), the project 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.

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.

At Hawkeye Community College, the Iowa STRONG project will provide key resources to align high-demand programs such as HVAC, Pharmacy Technician, CDL training, Construction, and CNC machining for Workforce Pell eligibility, creating accessible career pathways for local students.

Iowa STRONG will also enhance IWD's wage record reporting infrastructure, conduct employer outreach, and support statewide data integration and outcomes reporting.

"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 Dr. Todd Holcomb, president of Hawkeye Community College. "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.

For more information about Iowa STRONG, contact Constance Grimm, GPC, at 319-296-4439 or constance.grimm@hawkeyecollege.edu.