Skill-Up program seeks county funding

MT. PLEASANT — Mississippi Valley Workforce Development (MVWD) made a request to the Henry County Board of Supervisors for $1,253 to support its Skill-Up Program.

Skill-Up is an online workforce development initiative that offers free access to more than 7,000 e-learning courses. The program, which launched in July 2024, aims to provide job seekers and employed individuals the opportunity to enhance their skills, making them more competitive in the labor market.

During the Henry County Board of Supervisors meeting on Dec. 12, MVWD Compliance Officer Mandy Tripp presented detailed information about the Skill-Up Program, explaining how it operates and how it benefits local residents.

“The Skill-Up Program is designed to improve or change careers, whether you’re employed or actively job hunting. There are no eligibility restrictions, and it’s completely free for residents and businesses in the area,” Tripp said.

The Skill-Up Program offers training in a variety of career pathways, including manufacturing, transportation, office support, sales, and more. The platform provides certifications in specific industries and allows users to build their qualifications step-by-step. For example, in Henry County, the program is tailored to the region’s primary sectors such as transportation, material moving, and manufacturing.

“Courses for the manufacturing industry, like welding, mechanical systems, and blueprint reading, have already been very popular in Henry County,” explained Tripp. “There are also courses that cover soft skills, like business etiquette and customer service, which are incredibly important to employers right now. This platform has something for everyone, no matter their current skill level.”

The Skill-Up Program also includes a career pathway assessment tool that evaluates participants in 15 or more skill areas. The system identifies gaps in their skill sets and recommends specific courses to address those gaps. In this way, the platform provides a highly personalized learning experience. For example, participants pursuing a career in manufacturing can take courses in arc welding, safety practices, and blueprint reading, while those in logistics can gain certifications in warehouse management, occupational safety, and even defensive driving

Tripp shared that Henry County’s participation rate from June 1 to Nov. 30, 2024, stands at 3.31%, with many individuals using the program to advance in their careers or switch industries altogether. The online platform offers courses on a variety of devices, from phones to laptops, making it accessible for users in both urban and rural areas. The cost per user comes out to $40.75.

Tripp emphasized that local employers can also leverage the program to train their staff, helping to address skills gaps and improve productivity.

“Employers can create groups for their teams, assigning specific courses to improve skills based on their company’s needs,” she explained. “This could help address skills gaps within the workforce and improve productivity.”

Though the funding request was met with support from the public, Supervisor Greg Moeller recommended delaying a decision until after his transition out of office in January 2025.

Community members voiced strong approval of the program. Local resident Bob Byczek suggested that the $1,253.56 funding request would be a worthwhile investment for the county.

“The general public would probably appreciate this more than dumping money into other projects like Hershey Hall,” Byczek said, referring to the potential benefits for young people, especially with the program available in local schools.

Diane Burden echoed this sentiment, praising the program’s affordability.

“For the cost of what it, it is a very worthwhile contribution,” Burden said. “And it’s for older people and younger people, it's a community thing.”

Mason Fraker weighed in on the importance of the program, especially in relation to cybersecurity.

“Every company is a technology company now, and many people struggle with technology,” Fraker noted. “I think adding cybersecurity training would be invaluable, especially as the demand for digital skills increases.”

Tripp assured the board that the program is already having a measurable impact, with many participants gaining new certifications and skills in growing fields like IT.

“There are courses specifically for cybersecurity, which is a growing field, and we’ve had great feedback from individuals who have landed new jobs after completing the training,” Tripp said.

The funding request for $1,253.56 would help continue the program through June 2026, with a goal of providing even more data on the program’s success.

“We’re in the first year of the program, and we need this additional funding to continue into the second year,” Tripp said. “We hope that by the end of next year, we’ll have enough data to determine if this program should continue, and whether it’s worth making permanent.”

The board is expected to revisit the decision after Supervisor Moeller’s transition, but the overwhelming community support and the program’s demonstrated effectiveness suggest that it will remain an important resource for local residents.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com