(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today announced the State of Iowa has been awarded a National Governors Association (NGA) grant to assist in continuing their innovative educational and workforce development programs within Iowa. The grant is worth up to $170,000, and was awarded after the governor's office submitted a proposal to the "NGA Policy Academy on Aligning the Education and Training Pipeline to the Needs of the Economy."
"Lieutenant Governor Reynolds and I know that in order for Iowa to remain competitive in developing and attracting high-quality, world-class careers, we must continue to provide effective education and job-training," said Branstad. "We're pleased to receive this grant from the National Governors Association to continue advancing Iowa's skilled workforce and innovative education programs."
The grant will help Iowa continue to advance innovative programs like the Skilled Iowa Initiative, the Governor's Science Technology, Engineering and Math initiative, Home Base Iowa, the Iowa Apprenticeship and Job Training program and other programs aimed at closing the middle-skills gaps. A variety of state entities will collaborate with private sector, non-profit, and educational stakeholders to continue to advance Iowa's efforts to grow our talent pipeline.
"Today's announcement of new funds for workforce and education development is yet another win for hardworking Iowans," said Reynolds. "We're proud that Iowa's unemployment rate has dropped nearly thirty percent and more Iowans are working than ever before, but if we're to continue to be globally competitive, we must continue to innovate."
The NGA initiative is part of 2013-2014 Chair's Initiative of Oklahoma Gov. Marry Fallon titled, "America Works: Education and Training for Tomorrow's Jobs."
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