CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA (May 1, 2025) — Goodwill of the Heartland is launching a new Manufacturing Career Pathway, expanding opportunities for local learners to access high-demand jobs. Supported by grant funding from Ascendium Education Group, the program delivers short-term training, hands-on experience, and job placement through a collaborative effort with regional employers, educators and stakeholders.
Program participants gain skills in welding, CNC machining, smart manufacturing and more — while earning certifications aligned with industry needs. Key partners include Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, Black Hawk College, John Deere, iJAG, the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, Mississippi Valley Workforce Development, and others across eastern Iowa and west-central Illinois.
“This pathway empowers local individuals to step into manufacturing roles with confidence, support, and the skills to succeed,” said Amy Winslow CBEP, Career Services and Development Director at Goodwill of the Heartland.
Dr Richard G Bush, Associate Vice President Economic and Workforce Development at Black Hawk College, added “This is more than training — it’s a launchpad into a future filled with opportunity, stability, and growth.”
Collaboration with Eastern Iowa Community Colleges has already begun, with some participants already being accepted into the program.
“Manufacturing provides long-term, livable wages, upward mobility, and economic growth for the communities we serve,” said Kendra Schaapveld, Director of Economic Development at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges. “We look forward to training the next generation of the local workforce.”
Learn more about the program and partners behind it in our blog post:
goodwillheartland.org/2025/04/forging-local-futures/
Goodwill of the Heartland is dedicated to helping people reach their full potential through education, training and the power of work. Our 19 local retail stores support this nonprofit work.
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