A new health care grant aimed at boosting the industry’s workforce across Iowa was announced yesterday, during Gov. Reynolds’ 2025 Condition of the State.
The Iowa Healthcare Credentialing Grant will fund work-based learning programs that employ earn-and-learn initiatives, a combination of education and on-the-job learning or training.
“Iowa’s health care industry has faced worker shortages in recent years. Drawing on the earn-and-learn model for health career registered apprenticeships that has already trained 80 job-ready CNAs and EMTs and has 394 current active apprentices, our state is continuing to meet this challenge head on,” Gov. Reynolds said in a release, adding that the grant will support career pathways like CNAs, LPNs, RNs and CMAs.
The first round of awards, totaling $2.94 million, will fund 14 projects that are projected to train or upskill 399 participants statewide.
The grant will support employers planning to implement programs for high-demand career pathways, such as helping employees obtain Registered Nursing training and licensure. Awardees will also include programs that incorporate health care technicians, which have become more critical in recent years, according to the release.
“IWD often encounters Iowans who are interested in a high-demand career, but don’t have the time or resources to step out of the workforce for the amount of time it traditionally takes to complete a training program,” said Beth Townsend, executive director of Iowa Workforce Development. “The programs supported by this new grant are a welcome addition that not only provides career growth for many more Iowans but also supports the healthcare positions that are greatly needed in so many Iowa communities.”
For more information on the grant and today’s awards, visit Iowa Healthcare Credentialing Grant.
