Allamakee County Business and Community Board members provide critical input on local industry and workforce needs

Overcoming problems and challenges that may be encountered in a business environment often starts with a conversation: a dialogue about possible solutions to develop a plan of action.

Whether challenges for companies include new employee recruitment, employee soft skills such as customer service, or retention of talent, a diverse group of leaders providing their input and expertise helps to work through a solution. The Allamakee County Business and Community Board, formed with the assistance of Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC), provides a forum for this purpose, by inviting dialogue between education, economic development officials and local business leaders.

Nancy Everman, human resources manager at Waukon Feed Ranch, has contributed her insights and leadership as a member of the Allamakee County Business and Community Board, as well as the Waukon High School Career and Technical Education Board. An active partner in the College’s Career Leaning Link program, Everman serves as a resource for high school students who want to explore careers in agriculture and learn more about the local employment market.

“The job shadowing and mentoring experiences for students through the Northeast Iowa Career Learning Link program are an awesome way for Waukon Feed Ranch, and for all local businesses, to introduce students to good jobs in our area. Many of these jobs require a two-year degree or a three-month career pathway certificate from Northeast Iowa Community College,” Everman explained. “We all need to work together to keep our young people engaged in northeast Iowa and the opportunities available. Working on common issues that are affecting our county’s economic growth include board members representing a wide spectrum of school districts, nonprofits and businesses - we are all invested in the community together.”

There are now a total of 10 Business and Community Boards/Sector Boards in the NICC district that include representatives from hundreds of businesses. The Allamakee County Business and Community Board addresses the ongoing short-term and long-term workforce needs for local industry, according to Wendy Mihm-Herold, Ph.D., NICC vice president of business and community solutions.

“These boards and their members reflect the distinct economic character of each county in our district. Their dialogues help to identify what skills local employers require for their workforce, and how education and community organizations can work together to meet these needs,” Mihm-Herold explained. “Members of the Allamakee County Business and Community Board have created action plans to prepare for our future and ensure economic growth.”

Business and Community Boards in the district represent many industries, including: agriculture, food and natural resources; arts, communication and information systems; applied sciences, technology, engineering and manufacturing; health sciences; human services; and business, finance, marketing and management.

Waukon Feed Ranch contributes to these discussions through NICC, with other leaders in education and economic development, Everman noted. “Our company has benefited from agriculture programs developed at the College that meet our employment needs, such as the certification of our Sow Farm Managers trainee program and the Swine Production certificate program. These programs showcase northeast Iowa and its livestock industry.”

District-wide in 2016, NICC invested $2,550,007 in the 260E Iowa New Jobs Training Program, creating 238 jobs. In Allamakee County, 2,188 Business and Community Solutions course registrations were processed for 964 residents in areas such as agriculture, healthcare, information technology, advanced manufacturing and career development. At the Waukon Center, 330 Business and Community Solutions students generated 392 non-credit course registrations.

The Allamakee County Business and Community Board provides critical, impactful connections between businesses, educators, economic development and workforce agencies. The objective is to serve stakeholders through the exchange of information and implementation of workforce solutions based on shared goals and human capital needs, leading to measurable results to help grow our businesses and communities.

For more information on services offered through the Waukon Center and representation on the Business and Community Board, contact Erica Nosbisch, center director, at 563-568-3060 or nosbische@nicc.edu.