Creating a great workspace starts with hiring the right employees for your company. Matthew Nicol, Senior Talent Acquisition Manager at the HON Company, shares creative ways for expanding their hiring pool to find the right talent. Find out how they’re using a Registered Apprenticeship program to hire, train, and retain skilled employees. 

WOW! We’ve reached 100 Episodes of the Mission: Employable podcast!  Host Ryan West and Producer Ben Oldach look back at the last year and talk about the things we’ve learned, guests who made us think, and what we look forward to in the next year. Of course, a massive thank you goes out to our listeners and those who have joined us to help tell the story of Iowa’s workforce opportunities.  

After 90 years of business, Ruan Transportation is still finding new ways to advance their use of technology and recruit the youngest talent in Iowa. Ruan CIO Dan Greteman explains why the company is using the Iowa Clearinghouse for Work-Based Learning to get high school students involved in their business, and how the students are even teaching him a thing or two! 

The Iowa National Guard offers Iowans the chance to gain valuable on-the-job training while serving their communities.  Join us as we speak with Iowa Army National Guard First Sergeant Jesse Howard about how the National Guard can be a professional stepping stone for Iowans interested in serving their country.

Iowa is a major player in the wind energy industry and that means our energy companies need to match their output of electricity with an influx of workforce talent. Alliant Energy Training Specialist Lori Wildman talks about the company’s program that puts high schoolers on the path to a career in the energy industry. Find out how the program works and how you might be able to start a similar program for your company.  

Job training programs are reshaping how employers hire and retain workers. State Center Chief of Police Jon Thomas talks about how a state grant helped his department create a reserve police officer training program and recruit new trainees that go on to serve across Iowa. Learn about how the program gives trainees an opportunity to see if law enforcement is the career path for them, and how it can help rural communities find the staff they need.  

Time to hit the books for an apprenticeship history lesson! We’re joined by Registered Apprenticeship (RA) Program Coordinators Kristopher Byam and Mimi Willoughby. They share how Iowa educators and business leaders can take inspiration from the past to create the workforce of the future. You might be surprised to find that RA practices from the 18th century are still in use for many successful RA programs today. 

We’re clearing a path to success with the Iowa Clearinghouse for Work-Based Learning! Project Manager Jake Welchans, Project Coordinator Laura Williams, and area teacher Lindsey Hyman join the show to explain how work-based learning helps kids get workforce-ready across the state. Learn how students are partnering with local businesses to solve real-world problems, all while helping each other succeed. 

Caprice Jones, Director and Founder of the Fountain of Youth Program, makes it his mission to connect with formerly incarcerated Iowans and help them find meaningful work. Find out how Jones’ organization is helping returning citizens break the cycle of generational poverty and find life-changing employment opportunities.