ICR’s population is growing faster than the national average. Not only do we have people seeking new opportunities, we’re also attracting individuals who want to return to ICR when the right opportunity becomes available. With an annual pipeline of thousands of graduates from the University of Iowa, Coe College, Cornell College, and Kirkwood Community College, our local employers regularly report that we have some of the best, brightest, and most ethical workers in the nation.
Workforce Solutions Team
Workforce Solutions Team
The ICR Workforce Solutions Team is a small team of workforce development professionals available to consult with regional interstate and anchor employers on workforce attraction, retention, and skill development strategies and resources. The team includes a representative from ICR IOWA, Iowa Workforce Development, and Kirkwood Community College. This service is provided free of charge.
Employers eligible for this service:
- Interstate employers – employers who receive a significant percentage of their sales outside the region
- Anchor employers – employers in the education and healthcare sectors
- Employers must be located in Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn, or Washington County
The ICR Workforce Solutions Team uses a Talent Assessment to review employer workforce data and concerns and then provides specific strategy and resource suggestions and incentive programs to support employer needs.
To request assistance from the ICR Workforce Solutions Team, contact Tom Banta at [email protected].
Workforce Development
Iowa Workforce Development
Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) offers a variety of services to benefit employers, including recruitment assistance, tax credits to hire new employees and outreach to targeted groups. Their programs include:
Hire A Veteran (Home Base Iowa)
Business Services
Employer Incentives
Employers Council of Iowa - Region 10
Employers’ Council of Iowa (ECI) is an advisory group, located in each Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) region, and offers no-cost membership open to all businesses in the community. Its purpose is to guide IWD’s business focus, address topics of concern to employers, sponsor training initiatives, and assist IWD in meeting critical human resource needs.
Contact: Kate Pine at [email protected]
Career Fairs
Career Fairs
A variety of career fairs are held annually by local organizations and schools including:
Corridor Career Fairs
Website
Contact: Liz Kennedy, 319-368-8970, [email protected]
Kirkwood Career Fairs
Contact: Danielle Ebaugh, [email protected]
University of Iowa Career Fairs
Website
Contact: Allan Boettger, Pomerantz Career Center, [email protected]
Iowa State Career Fairs
Website
University of Northern Iowa Career Fairs
Website
Find Interns
Finding Interns
To recruit an intern or seek assistance in developing an internship program, contact:
University of Iowa Pomerantz Career Center
Contact: Allan Boettger, [email protected]
Website: https://careers.uiowa.edu/employers/internships
Coe College
Contact: Barb Tupper, 319-399-8662, [email protected]
Website: https://www.coe.edu/academics/coe-difference-centers-and-programs/center-creativity-careers/careers/employers
Cornell College
Contact: Jason Napoli, 319-895-4458, [email protected]
Website: https://www.cornellcollege.edu/berry-career-institute/Internships-research-opportunities/index.shtml
Kirkwood Community College
Contact: Danielle Ebaugh, [email protected]
Workplace Learning Connection (high school internships)
Contact: Sarah Shepherd, 319-398-2584, [email protected] and Sue Neil, 319-398-4828, [email protected]
Website: http://www.kirkwood.edu/site/index.php?p=38584
ICR Workforce Coalitions
ICR IOWA Workforce Coalitions
ICR Talent Intelligence Council
The ICR Talent Intelligence Council is a group of human resource professionals who meet quarterly to guide the regional talent attraction, retention, and pipeline strategies developed and implemented by ICR IOWA. The Council is open to members and investors in the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance and the Iowa City Area Development Group who are actively engaged in talent attraction from outside the region.
Contact: Tim Carty at [email protected]
ICR Talent: Talent Attraction and Retention
ICR Talent is a coalition of employers and organizations working together to attract and retain talent in ICR. The coalition guides a collection of strategies designed to attract and retain new talent in high-demand occupations in ICR.
Current strategy teams include:
- ICR Talent Hub: Recruiting High-Demand Talent
- Wingman: Concierge and Newcomer Service
- Inclusive ICR: Recruiting and Retaining Diverse Talent
- Ignite ICR: Recruiting and Retaining College Interns
Contact: Tim Carty at [email protected]
Join the Mailing List!
ICR Future: Developing our Future Talent
ICR Future is a coalition of employers, educators, and organizations working together to make Iowa City-Cedar Rapids (ICR) the best place in the nation for career-connected learning.
Current strategy teams include:
- Career Exploration and Pathways Program of Studies
- Work-Based Learning
- Computer Science
- Problem-Based Learning and 21st Century Skills
Contact: Kate Moreland at [email protected]
ICR Future Career-Connected Learning Hub
Join the Mailing List!
Industry Sector Boards
Industry Sector Boards
ICR’s industry-led Sector Boards provide valuable information for workforce development strategies and training in our region. Join a board to provide input and help steer the initiatives that support the local development and attraction of your needed workforce.
- Architecture, Construction, and Engineering
- Healthcare
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Information Technology
- Financial Services
- Transportation and Logistics
Contact: Judy Soffel at [email protected]
Inclusive ICR
Inclusive ICR
Formerly Employee Resource Group Consortium (ERGC)
A coalition of local employers and organizations working together to support and grow inclusion and diversity in our workforce.
Ignite ICR
Ignite ICR
Ignite ICR is a program for college students and interns working in Iowa City-Cedar Rapids (ICR). This summer event series gives interns the opportunity to meet one another, explore our incredible culture, connect with young professionals, and imagine a future for themselves in ICR. Ignite ICR is hosted by the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance and Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with ICR IOWA.
EVENTS FOR 2019
Ignite the Fire: A Summer Kick-off Party
Thursday, June 6th from 3-5pm at Newbo City Market, Cedar Rapids
Registration opens May 1st
Spark Your Appetite: A Progressive Dinner
Saturday, June 29th
Attendance is limited to 200 for this event.
Registration opens May 1st
Stoke the Flames: A Send-off Party
Thursday, July 18th from 3-5pm at Big Grove, Iowa City
Registration opens May 1st
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
College interns working for any employer who is a member of the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance or Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce or an investor in the Iowa City Area Development Group.
EMPLOYERS, HELP US ANTICIPATE YOUR INTERNS
ICR employers, let us know if you think your college interns would like to participate in Ignite ICR this summer and how many we should anticipate. We will send you registration information your interns can complete once they arrive to confirm their participation.
Join our Ignite ICR employer contact list!