"IWD Director Visits Ottumwa Office, Discusses Legislative Recommendations and Workforce Programs"

Des Moines, Iowa – Iowa Workforce Development Director Elisabeth Buck and Deputy Director Joe Walsh, will be at the Ottumwa Workforce Development Center today to discuss changes to the workforce system, the agency’s legislative agenda that pushes a Unemployment Insurance Modernization package and additional retraining dollars for dislocated workers. Additionally, the federal stimulus, if passed in its current state, contains a number of provisions for assisting workers in need.

“Iowa is taking proactive steps to modernize and realign our workforce system,” indicated Director Buck. “By revising our service delivery system and better aligning programs, our customers will receive more opportunities for re-employment services.”

Additionally, Iowa Workforce Development is promoting a number of legislative packages designed to provide greater assistance to Iowans affected by the nationally declining economy. By modernizing Iowa’s unemployment insurance delivery system and developing new training programs that assist Iowans in increasing their skill level, individuals will have new opportunities for developing an economically secure environment of their own.

“While the downturn in the economy has reduced Iowa’s potential workforce shortage, there are still a number of jobs, including those in healthcare and renewable energy, both growing fields, that require advanced training,” indicated Buck. “It’s important that we work to provide Iowans with the necessary skills to meet the needs of Iowa’s employers.”

Iowa Workforce Development provides resources for all Iowans regarding their employment needs. Visit one of 55 field offices across the state for personalized job search assistance; attend Iowa Advantage classes for increasing job search skills and interviewing techniques; and utilize the Resource Center to develop your resume and search for jobs. The state jobs database is available at IowaJobs.org. This self-directed job search system allows the job seeker to view over 13,000 current job openings listed with Iowa Workforce Development all across the state. The user-friendly system allows jobseekers to search by keyword, location and more.

For more information, visit www.iowaworkforce.org or call your local office.

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