Iowa Innovation Gateway

FREE CIW Capacity Building Training – Hiring Qualified Veterans to Strengthen Your Organization

Admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 17:31:26 +0000

The Iowa Innovation Gateway serves as the facilitator for the Central Iowa Works Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Partnership. Central Iowa Works is pleased to be offering specialized training series for employers, human resource professionals and recruiters to offer a deeper and more local understanding of hiring and working with special populations in central Iowa. The training is available to you for FREE according to the schedule attached. The goal of the training is provide valuable information about how to increase and ensure diverse populations join your organization and are successful on the job.

The training will be facilitated by the CIW Job Developers. The role of the job developer is part of many of the community based and non-profit organizations in central Iowa. The job developers work with individuals to provide support during the job search and employment process. They have tremendous insight and local perspective to share that will greatly enhance your ability to access non-traditional members of the workforce to expand your organization!

The second session is being hosted Tuesday, May 22, 2012 from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm. Topic for Discussion: Hiring Qualified Veterans to Strengthen Your Organization

Facilitator: Anna Sabina-Stratton, US Department of . . . → Read More: FREE CIW Capacity Building Training – Hiring Qualified Veterans to Strengthen Your Organization

State Launches New STEM Web Site

Admin — Tue, 01 May 2012 14:16:15 +0000

From the Office of the Governor

The Governor's Office and the Iowa Mathematics and Science Education Partnership (IMSEP) announced today the launch of a new Web site which offers Iowans an online one-stop shop for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and innovation information.

The Web site, www.IowaSTEM.gov offers comprehensive access to essential STEM information for educators, students, families and children.

"We are excited to provide this resource for Iowans," said Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds, co-chair of the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council along with University of Northern Iowa President Benjamin Allen. "This user-friendly Web site brings everyone up to date on the importance of STEM. From learning what is happening in state-level STEM, to fun activities families can do at home to spark that sense of wonder with their children, there is something here for everyone."

The Web site targets a broad range of interests with each page providing detailed information about education, civic and recreational opportunities and innovation happenings across the state. This page will also serve as the landing page for the Governor's STEM Advisory Council, showcasing Iowa's targeted priorities for action planning. Designers considered three main audiences when regarding site content: students, educators . . . → Read More: State Launches New STEM Web Site

IIG Regional Winner to Participate in Statewide DBGH Pitch Off

Admin — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:04:31 +0000

On March 8th, the regional winners in the MyEntre.Net Dream Big Grow Here contest will compete for $10,000 in a Statewide Pitch Off.

Small business owners and emerging entrepreneurs from around the state took part in multiple, regional Dream Big Grow Here contests online this past year. After nearly 100,000 visitors weighed in, seven unique winners emerged and will compete March 8th in Ames for a $10,000 grand prize! Go Topless Glassware was the winner in the regional event hosted by Iowa Innovation Gateway and will be competing for the $10,000 prize. Join us as these small business owners set out to win the grand prize during Iowa’s annual EntreFest conference

Eeah regional winner will have the opportunity to showcase their business and ‘pitch’. The pitch off begins at 5:30pm, on March 8th with opening remarks by lead sponsor John Sorensen of the Iowa Bankers Association. This year’s celebrity emcee is Debi Durham of the Iowa Economic Development Authority.

To learn more about each winner go to http://www.dreambiggrowhere.com. Dream Big Grow Here contests were created at the University of Northern Iowa by the MyEntre.Net team, and are sponsored by the Iowa Bankers Association, Renew Rural Iowa, the Community . . . → Read More: IIG Regional Winner to Participate in Statewide DBGH Pitch Off

IIG Leaders Working to Certify Local Counties as “Work Ready”

Admin — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:16:37 +0000

BY Kim Didier IIG Board Member Recently, the state of Iowa and the counties that comprise the Iowa Innovation Gateway region have been experiencing a decline in the unemployment rate. In fact, for several of the existing companies in the IIG region, they are rapidly expanding employment opportunities. The challenge at hand is to find a skilled and ready workforce to fill these openings. Many of those in the workforce now are not adequately skilled to fill these open positions. To address this challenge, the Iowa Innovation Gateway is participating in a pilot project with the Central Iowa Workforce Investment Board to become a Certified Work Ready Region focused on the advanced manufacturing sector. This designation would help the IIG region identify skill gaps in the workforce and address training needs ultimately leading to the ability to demonstrate that the communities within the region have an existing labor force which can fill existing job vacancies and meet changing business needs. The Certified Work Ready Region pilot is modeled after similar efforts in Georgia and Oklahoma. Marion and Jasper counties are the first two counties of the IIG region working toward the Certification designation by targeting these goals: 85% of high schools . . . → Read More: IIG Leaders Working to Certify Local Counties as “Work Ready”

IIG Hosts Emily DeRocco and Team from The Manufacturing Institute

Admin — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:22:35 +0000

Iowa Innovation Gateway hosted Emily DeRocco and her team from the Manufacturing Institute for a series of events and meetings this month to discuss the implementation of the National Association of Manufacturers-Endorsed Skills Certification System. According to the Manufacturing institute, “Access to talented individuals with high-quality education and advanced skills is critical to manufacturers' capacity for innovation and business success. Companies continue to report they cannot find individuals with the skills required for today's advanced manufacturing workplaces.” On January 11, Emily DeRocco addressed the Iowa Association of Business and Industry board and asked them to use the Skills Certification System in their hiring processes. The team also met with the Central Iowa Works Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Partnership and explained to them what the Skills Certification System could do for them. The next day, at Accu-mold in Ankeny, Emily and her team provided a day of technical assistance to community college representatives from across the state on how to integrate the Skills Certification System into what they are already doing. Community college representatives were able to share what they are currently offering for those seeking certification in advanced manufacturing skills and what their next steps in this process will be. Further events are being planned . . . → Read More: IIG Hosts Emily DeRocco and Team from The Manufacturing Institute

Administration unveils final recommendations for world-class schools

Admin — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:34:33 +0000

(DES MOINES) – Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today released their final recommendations for restoring Iowa’s standing as a leader in education and preparing all students to compete for jobs in a global economy.

The document represents an overview of proposed education legislation that will be presented by the Governor and Lt. Governor in the 2012 session.

The recommendations stay true to three key areas outlined in a blueprint for education reform released by the Branstad-Reynolds administration in October: highly effective teachers and leaders, high expectations for all students with fair measures for results, and innovation that boosts learning.

“Iowans have played a critical role as we’ve worked to elevate the conversation about improving our schools,” Branstad said. “These proposals will put us on the path to make Iowa schools among the best in the world.”

World-class schools are one of four top priorities set by Branstad and Reynolds. The administration has worked for the past year to carve out a long-term, reform-minded policy direction that builds from Iowa’s strengths and adopts improvements with lessons learned from the highest-performing systems in the world.

In July, the Branstad-Reynolds administration convened . . . → Read More: Administration unveils final recommendations for world-class schools

IIG Leads Intiative to Address Iowa’s Manufacturing Skills Gap

Admin — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:36:01 +0000

From the Business Record:

BY JOE GARDYASZ Senior Staff Writer

An estimated 5 percent of U.S. manufacturing positions go unfilled because companies can't find workers with the necessary skills. To address this so-called skills gap in the state, the Iowa Innovation Gateway, an economic development collaboration of seven Central Iowa counties, has partnered with the Manufacturing Institute and the Lumina Foundation to bring a new national skills certification program to Iowa. On Jan. 12, officials with the Manufacturing Institute, an arm of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), will meet with representatives from Iowa community colleges at Accumold LLC in Ankeny to discuss how to implement the Manufacturing Skills Certification System. "The goal of the meeting is to provide technical assistance to the community college system about implementing the certification system," said Denise Rathman, executive director of the Iowa Innovation Gateway, whose goals include developing a regional talent development system for Central Iowa. Iowa is among 10 states that received a $10,000 planning grant from the Lumina Foundation, an Indianapolis-based foundation focused on expanding access to higher education, to help launch the training program. The state is seeking funding from the U.S. Department of Labor . . . → Read More: IIG Leads Intiative to Address Iowa’s Manufacturing Skills Gap

U of Iowa to offer Entrepreneurship and Global Trade Course

Admin — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 15:31:16 +0000

This course is for anyone with an interest in global trade, including students at the community college or university level.

Based on information from James F. Foley’s book, “The Global Entrepreneur: Taking your Business International,” this multidisciplinary elective course is designed to help you understand and address the complex issues associated with business operations in today’s global economy. The course addresses trade transactions related to importing and exporting, logistical knowledge, as well as ethical issues that arise in international trade.

You’ll gain practical knowledge in Global Business Management, Global Marketing, Global Supply Chain Management, and Trade Finance. The course has two goals:

1. Prepare you for working in the global marketplace; and if you are interested, 2. Prepare you for the Certified Global Business Professional certification exam (CGBP) offered by North American Small Business International Trade Educators (NASBITE). Registration begins November 14; to register, visit the course description page in our online course catalog ISIS, at http://isis.uiowa.edu/courses.

Contact Terry Boles at 319–335–0947 or email terry–boles@uiowa.edu for more information about this course.

Interested students must have taken 06T:120 (ENTR:3520) or 06J:125 (MGMT:3100) prior to enrolling or receive consent of the instructor.

CLICK HERE for course . . . → Read More: U of Iowa to offer Entrepreneurship and Global Trade Course

Rural YES (Young Entrepreneur Summit)

Admin — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:57:41 +0000

Young Professionals of Iowa (YPIowa) along with the Community Vitality Center at ISU, the U.S. Small Business Administration, USDA Rural Development and other partners are co-hosts for a Rural YES (Young Entrepreneur Summit) on Nov. 9. The summit will be held at the Scheman Building in the Iowa State Center, Ames from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The event is free to participating or prospective entrepreneurs. Small Business Administration Deputy Secretary Marie Johns and USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Doug O’Brien will share their perspectives and success stories from around the country. Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds will share their perspectives on state initiatives to enhance opportunities for successful rural Entrepreneurs in Iowa. A Panel of Rural Entrepreneurs to be featured include:

Amy Strouth, Prairie Queen Bakery & Restaurant, Sheldon, IA www.PQBakery.com Pat Palmer, The Computer Guy, Hampton, IA www.thecomputerguy.bz Mari Holthaus, Kymar Acres, Waukon, IA ww.kymaracres.com & President, Grown Locally Coop, Decorah, IA www.grownlocally.com Matt Russell, Coyote Run Farm, Lacona, IA www.coyote-run-farm.com/

Young and emerging entrepreneurs at Rural YES will:

Hear success stories from other rural entrepreneurs, Listen to and share ideas for improving opportunities for young . . . → Read More: Rural YES (Young Entrepreneur Summit)

We Have a Winner of the $5,000 IIG DREAM BIG GROW HERE Entrepreneurial Contest!

Admin — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 19:21:41 +0000

Congratulations to Chris Perkins and Cody Henke from Go Topless Glassware for being chosen as the winner of the IIG-sponsored Dream Big Grow Here contest! Go Topless Glassware produces drinking glasses and displays from high-end recycled bottles.. As one of the top five online vote recipients, Go Topless Glassware was invited to present to a panel of business experts. Presentations were judged on the following criteria: the viability of the business, an effective plan for use of prize money, the ability to raise additional capital, a potential to generate wealth in the region, the business provides economic diversity to the region and there is a potential to create jobs in the region. Perkins and Henke plan to increase production volume and invest in more machinery for their Ames location.The business is so new that they don't have a website , but they do have a page on Facebook. More information about Go Topless Glassware can be found at on their MyEntre.net profile HERE and on their Facebook Fan Page.

All five companies in the pitch-off reported being very happy to have the opportunity to rally their customers and supporters around their businesses and most of the finalists reported an . . . → Read More: We Have a Winner of the $5,000 IIG DREAM BIG GROW HERE Entrepreneurial Contest!