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UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
College program trains workers for jobs
Reporter: Gigi Wood
gigi@corridorbiznews.com
The University of Iowa recently launched a program to help solve the state’s shrinking workforce.
It is estimated Iowa’s workforce will be short by about 150,000 in 2012. Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) recently reported 50,000 vacancies among Iowa employers.
“The statewide results clearly underscore the need for additional training opportunities for Iowans,” Elizabeth Buck, director of IWD, stated in a press release. “A targeted emphasis on retraining and up-skilling opportunities for Iowans to ensure they receive the necessary skills to fill these available positions is critical for meeting the workforce shortage head on.”
In August, the UI started a new program that addresses some of those needs, through supportive employment training. REACH (Realizing Educational and Career Hopes) is an inclusive, two-year certificate program designed to help college-age students with cognitive and learning disabilities develop life skills and transition to employment and community participation.
Students take classes on topics ranging from computer program training, career development, life and social skills for independent living. Eighteen students enrolled in the program last fall. They live in dorms on campus with trained residential assistants. To participate, students must be highly-functional with the ability to live with a roommate, navigate campus and negotiate everyday life decisions. They also must have some volunteer experience.
Nationally, there are an estimated 50 million people with some level of disability, representing 18 percent of the population. Most people with disabilities want to work, and two out of three people with disabilities who are unemployed say they would prefer to be working, according to IWD.
Studies show that people with disabilities have equal or high job performance ratings, have higher retention rates and lower absentee rates than employees without disabilities, according to IWD.
REACH was spearheaded by former Lt. Gov. Sally Pedersen when she could not identify such a program for her son when he graduated from high school. He attended a similar program in Illinois.
“We needed to do something for our students in Iowa who have cognitive, developmental learning disabilities that are post-secondary so that they can have an inclusive kind of college experience and prepare them for life afterwards,” said Jo Hendrickson, interim director of REACH. “She also had a corollary motivation of expanding the workforce in Iowa that people with disabilities are capable, confident people if the jobs match their skills. And we can better support our employers and our businesses if we can tap that natural resource, that human resource that we have in the state. Then it turns into a win-win situation.”
REACH operates out of the UI College of Education, receiving funding grants and donations and some financial support from the university. The burgeoning program is overseen by advisory councils composed of business leaders from across the state, representing companies such as Principal Financial Group, Hy-Vee and the Marriott, as well as educators and disability experts.
“The major outcome of this program for students is that they can gain a level of independence in their community with jobs that have a true meaning to them and a true meaning to the people who employ them, (whether) they’re carved or they’re existing jobs that people with really valuable skills can fill, which would be our REACH students, with our support,” she said.
In November the program was awarded the Iowa City Chamber of Commerce Innovation Award. Principal recently pledged $319,000 to assist REACH.
“This innovative program will enhance our state’s efforts to expand employment opportunities for a special needs population that can make valuable contributions to businesses and society as a whole,” Jim Crawford, Principal’s government relations director and a member of the REACH Advisory Board, stated in a press release. “To remain competitive in today’s global marketplace, we must make every effort to train and educate all individuals in our communities so their skills and talents can be utilized to the maximum extent possible.”
There is local interest in the program from the business community, as well. Quality Care, a lawn and landscaping company based in Coralville, participates in REACH. Geoff Wilming, vice president of Quality Care, is a member of the program’s employment advisory council.
“We were first exposed to the idea of supportive employment back in 1985 through Goodwill Industries and have had as a goal to have 10 percent of our staff be people who have come through a supportive employment situation,” he said. “Our longest-term employee came to us through Goodwill in 1985 and he’s in a situation where he has limited physical abilities but can drive a tractor and he’s actually our highest dollar-producing employee. So we just look for matches like that.”
Supportive employment provides the company with another resource for finding employees, he said.
“Not every situation is going to work but when they do they’ve been very successful,” Mr. Wilming said. “There’s been a great deal of loyalty to the organization. It’s worthwhile for us. Staffing can be difficult from time to time and this is another avenue for us that’s been successful.”
REACH officials are working to identify employers willing to provide paid and unpaid internships, mock interviews and job shadowing opportunities, as well as those willing to give presentations on their businesses to students.
“We have done job shadows for programs in the schools and any number of programs, Goodwill and other places that work in supportive employment and that’s something we’re hoping to do with REACH,” he said.
The 18 students enrolled in the REACH program now are interested in working with animals, performing clerical duties, working in sales and childcare, among other areas, said Janis Mendenhall, REACH’s career development coordinator.
“We have a lot of employers who have welcomed us with open arms and have been phenomenal with their interest in the program and helping our students explore careers,” she said. “We have students with a lot of different talents and skills and interests.”
Internships would typically last for four hours a day for two days a week. REACH officials would remain on-call during that time to answer questions and concerns from students and employers. REACH also plans to offer employer tip sheets and other resources to assist with job and training opportunities. CBJ
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