Job development leaders say the opening of the new IowaWORKS center, near Kirkwood Community College in southwest Cedar Rapids, represents more than a relocation – it will provide an opportunity for increased collaboration and workforce program expansion.
The new center, in the former Ruffalo Noel Levitz facility at 1025 Kirkwood Parkway SW, opened in late summer and serves as both the American Job Center for Cedar Rapids and a connection point to Kirkwood Community College’s workforce development programs.
A formal grand opening ceremony was held at the center Thursday afternoon, Nov. 20, drawing dozens of local and state leaders and IowaWORKS staffers.
“Today marks a significant milestone, not just for this facility and this community, but for the broader seven-county region that it serves,” said Tim Carson, executive director of the East Central Iowa Workforce Development Board. “We’re proud to partner with local businesses, labor organizations, educators and workforce professionals to ensure that every person that walks through these doors has a pathway to success. This center stands as a symbol of opportunity, growth and empowerment. Here, individuals will find the support they need to build meaningful careers, access vital training and connect with employers who are ready to invest in local talent. Whether you’re just starting out seeking a new path or looking to advance your skills, this center is here for you.”
Carla Andorf, dean of workforce services at Kirkwood, said the collaboration between Kirkwood and IowaWORKS simplifies access to services.
“When education and workforce services come together under one roof, it makes it so much easier for Iowans to find the support they need to reach their goals,” Ms. Andorf said. “Whether someone is looking to start a new career, build new skills, or connect with local employers, this collaboration helps make those opportunities possible.”
The new center occupies 25,000 square feet of the former Ruffalo Noel Levitz building. That represents a significant expansion from the former IowaWORKS location in the lower level of Lindale Mall, allowing more room for both workers and clients.
“There’s a lot more space, and it’s a lot more modern,” said Ashley Ferguson, vice president of training and development at TrueNorth Companies, who also chairs the East Central Iowa Local Workforce Development Board. “I’m excited about it for the morale of the staff. They were in a basement in the mall, no windows. It was very antiquated. It was hard to get technology – even getting WiFi down there was a struggle. That was one of the bigger benefits for the staff. It’s just such a better facility for them.”
The new Cedar Rapids facility will also be easier to access than the Lindale site, leaders say – a city bus route stops right outside the facility, and Kirkwood students preparing for new careers will have a short trip to IowaWORKS’ offerings.
The location is advantageous in other ways, leaders say.
“It’s going to be more accessible for both individuals looking for jobs, but also employers being connected now to Kirkwood,” Ms Ferguson said. “Kirkwood partners with a lot of employers already, so we’re able to latch into part of the ecosystem that already has things happening. It’s also putting us closer to Iowa City, so we’re able to serve more of our Corridor region. The Iowa City (IowaWORKS) location is by the old (Sycamore) mall on the older side of town. So this will be really nice, because people in North Liberty and Coralville will also have a more centralized location.”
Beth Townsend, Executive Director of Iowa Workforce Development, reinforced the positive aspects of collaboration between IowaWORKS and a community college like Kirkwood – a collaboration that is now somewhat unique in the state.
“We were actually on the Iowa Central Community College campus up until July, and then they needed the building that we were in, so we moved,” Ms. Townsend said. “This is now, I think, one of the only community colleges where we have a presence. What it says for the future of economic development, workforce and the community college working together, it sets a really good precedent and example of what we can do when we work together. What’s great about being on the Kirkwood campus is a lot of our customers are Kirkwood students. So for them to be able to get services here, or get their education and training over on the campus, we’re a short drive away.
“(Kirkwood President (Kristie) Fisher and I were just talking about that,” she added. “You go right from your career development discussion or finishing up your degree program or your credential, and you can come just a few steps to us to, and we can help connect you with employers in the local area with open jobs that are looking for people.”
Iowa Workforce Development had been looking for some time for an IowaWORKS location in Cedar Rapids that would facilitate greater collaboration with Kirkwood, Ms. Townsend said.
“Our team in Cedar Rapids had always been interested, but there just really wasn’t a good space,” Ms. Townsend said. “And then President Fisher called me about a year ago and said, ‘we’re thinking about this building. Would you be interested in relocating out here?’ I called Linda Rouse, who oversees our American Job Center division, and said, ‘Kirkwood is asking if we would be interested. I assume the answer is yes.’ She said, ‘yes, and when?’ She would have moved that day if she could have.”
Officials said earlier that the new positions Cedar Rapids as a model for regional collaboration and innovation in workforce development, enhancing access, improving outcomes and building stronger connections between education and employment.
Kirkwood staffers have served on the Workforce Development Board for some time, Ms. Ferguson said, but with the new center, “we’ll be able to work on strategy together and make sure what they’re doing is in alignment with what we’re trying to accomplish. It’ll hopefully eliminate duplicative efforts in some areas, now that we are truly under one roof.”
A host of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) services are housed at the new facility, including:
- Title I, which supports adults, dislocated workers and youth ages 16-24 to obtain training to build their careers and helps connect employers to qualified job candidates;
- Title II, which encompasses high school completion and adult basic education, English Language and Literacy (ELL) and program focused on specific career paths or jobs;
- Title III, which provides comprehensive support to job seekers, including help with labor market information, resumes, applications, interview preparation and job search strategies;
- Title IV, offering counseling and guidance to eligible Iowans to choose a vocational goal consistent with their interests and abilities; and
- Vocational rehabilitation, which offers individualized services to help Iowans with a disability prepare for, obtain, keep, and advance in employment.
Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell and Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance president and CEO Juliet Abdel also spoke at Thursday’s grand opening.
“I can’t imagine many projects or many entities more important to the future of greater Cedar Rapids than a collaboration like this,” Ms. O’Donnell said. “You look around and you see the different entities that are here. It really is a magical collaboration between federal, state and local (agencies). It really is a testament to how we feel, how we value the people in our community, and not just the people who’ve been here forever, the people who are going to discover greater Cedar Rapids, and even our English language learners will have a place inside this building.”
“We’re incredibly pleased to see this investment in a new space that will level up our shared efforts here, fostering economic growth and empowering individuals through employment opportunities,” Ms. Abdel added. “This new facility is strategically designed to enhance the delivery of the center’s comprehensive services, including job placement assistance, unemployment support, skills development programs and employer resources. The Economic Alliance is dedicated to driving economic growth in our region, and we do that by focusing on economic and workforce development and business services. This Cedar Rapids location directly complements our body of work. Cedar Rapids leads a region that is home to hundreds of large and small businesses with partners like the IowaWORKS American Job Centers. This is not just a resource for the present, it’s a testament to what’s ahead in the future.”
