NCC Shares in $10.8 Million Grant to Expand Workforce Training in Northwest Iowa

SHELDON, Iowa — Northwest Iowa Community College will receive $385,427 as part of the $10.8 million statewide Iowa STRONG grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor. NCC’s portion of the statewide award will support the development and expansion of short-term workforce training tailored to industry needs in Northwest Iowa, focusing on industrial maintenance, manufacturing design and related technical skills.

The funding will support industry-relevant training equipment that gives students hands-on experience with the systems and technology used in today’s workplaces. Training will focus on electrical systems, motor controls, industrial automation and manufacturing design, including skills used to create technical drawings and models for products and equipment. These skills support careers in industrial maintenance, automation, electrical controls and manufacturing design. The grant will also fund a full-time project coordinator for four years to help develop and implement these training opportunities.

Through Workforce Pell, eligible students can receive federal Pell Grant assistance for approved short-term training programs, expanding financial aid access to training that historically has not qualified. NCC will work to develop programs that meet these requirements, helping students explore a career field and build job skills through a shorter training option, with financial assistance available to eligible students.

Historically, students in short-term, noncredit workforce training programs could not use federal Pell Grants—aid based on financial need that generally does not have to be repaid—and to cover their costs out of pocket. Workforce Pell expands access to this assistance for eligible students enrolled in approved short-term training programs. The programs NCC will create that meet Workforce Pell eligibility requirements will provide financial assistance to short-term training in high demand, high wage and require higher levels of training beyond high school.

NCC plans to develop these short-term credentials specifically around the workforce needs of employers in Northwest Iowa, with college credit that applies toward related degree programs such as Industrial Instrumentation & Control, Engineering Design and Design Technology. Students could use a credential to prepare for an entry-level position or build on it by continuing toward a degree. This approach gives students an opportunity to see whether a career field is the right fit while building on their investment of time and money.

“This investment will help us create more starting points for students while helping employers in Northwest Iowa build the skilled workforce they need,” said John Hartog, president of Northwest Iowa Community College. “A short-term credential can help someone explore a career, develop skills and prepare for employment. By connecting those credentials to our degree programs, we can also give students a path to continue their education when they are ready.”

NCC’s funding is part of Iowa’s $10.8 million award—the largest in the nation under the sixth round of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants. The statewide initiative, Iowa STRONG, stands for Systems, Training, and Resources for Opportunity, Navigation, and Growth. It brings together Iowa’s community colleges, the Iowa Department of Education and Iowa Workforce Development, with Hawkeye Community College managing statewide implementation.

Iowa STRONG aims to develop more than 50 Workforce Pell-eligible training programs in advanced manufacturing, construction and skilled trades, and healthcare by 2030. The initiative will also strengthen coordination between education and workforce partners, support employer outreach, and improve data integration and reporting to track participant outcomes.

Administered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration, the grants support the development and expansion of training programs that respond to employer demand and help states implement Workforce Pell Grants.

For more information, contact Kristin Kollbaum, Director of Marketing & Communications, at 712-631-5634 or kkollbaum@nwicc.edu.