Project Iowa will be coming to Newton to help train Newton’s citizens on new career paths.
The first step in getting involved in this program is attending a Project Iowa informational session at the Des Moines Area Community College in Newton on the third Thursday every month. The next one will be tomorrow at 5 p.m. in room 130B.
An informational sheet states Project Iowa provides up-front jobs to participants who attain desired skill sets in select employment sectors. To prepare people for these jobs, Project Iowa will will equip participants with the skills they need to be successful. The project also offers community mentoring.
Project Iowa’s main goal is to provide people with a job that gives them a liveable wage and provide training for that career. But Project Iowa isn’t for everyone. If the career paths being offered don’t fit those applying, they’re may not be opportunity available for them.
Some of Project Iowa’s major employment partner’s include Mercy Medical Center, Vermeer Corporation, ALMACO, Bridgestone.
Project Iowa does offer some job commitments at the end of the training programs, but not all job offers may fit the career pathways that people have trained for. Most training programs last 13 to 18 weeks.
Participation in project Iowa is free. To participate, one must be a legal US citizen, 18 years of age or older, have a high school diploma or GED equivalent and have a strong work ethic. Additionally, a criminal background doesn’t bar someone from participating in Project Iowa.
More information may be obtained at projectiowa.org, by calling 515-280-1502 or by attending the informational meetings at DMACC on Thursday at 5 p.m.