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STATE PROFILE
Iowa
Iowa Center for Career and Occupational Resources


Program Goals and Emphasis

Iowa’s Center for Career and Occupational Resources’ primary emphasis is to link career information to academic course planning. By providing parents, educators and students with appropriate career planning resources, students will be able to choose appropriate courses in preparation for their postsecondary work. Many students are lacking in the math and science skills necessary for success.

State Economic Profile

Economic and Environmental Profile

Major industries include agriculture (corn, soybeans, hogs, pigs), food manufacturing, and insurance. Manufacturing is centered on food processing, machinery (especially for agriculture, construction, and mining) and chemicals (particularly pesticides, fertilizers, and other agricultural chemicals). High tech industries focus on life sciences, advanced manufacturing and information solutions.

The April 2005 unemployment rate was 4.5%, as compared to
4.7 % in April 2004.
Key Economic Sectors

• Agriculture
• Government
• Health Care & Social Assistance
• Manufacturing
• Professional & Business Services
• Retail Trade

State Career Resource Activities

Highlighted Activities

• Iowa Choices™ is the statewide comprehensive career information delivery system available through Iowa schools, community colleges, workforce development centers, and other agencies. It is managed by the Iowa College Student Aid Commission (ICSAC).

• The Department of Education partners with the Iowa College Student Aid Commission and the College Planning Center to provide CIDS, training, and linkage between career planning and postsecondary transitions.
 
Primary Activities and Trainings

Iowa has conducted the following activities and trainings:
• Career Clusters
• Career Information Delivery Systems
• Conference Exhibits
• Facilitating Career Development
• Presentations to Graduate Classes
• Regional Counselor Conferences
• Revision of Iowa Center for Career and Occupational Resources Web page
• The Real Game

Career Information Delivery Systems (CIDS)

CIDS are computer-based systems providing local, state, and national information about careers and employment opportunities. State sites for CIDS include:

Elementary Schools0
Middle Schools 275
High Schools 405
Community Colleges 15
4-Year Colleges/Universities 10
Other 15

 
Primary Resources

Iowa has published the following resources:
• Career Development Portfolios
• The Real Game Series
• Federal Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Iowa Choices
• Parent Brochure
• Are You A Doer, Thinker, Creator, Helper, Organizer, Persuader

Program Funding and Partnerships

YearAmount
2005$155,417
2004$157,604
2003$158,539
2002$165,270
2001$144,472
Cumulative$781,302
Other Funding Sources

The program receives additional funding from the following sources:
• Program Income
• Other
Significant Program Partnerships

• Iowa College Student Aid Commission
• College Planning Center
• Iowa Workforce Development

Resource Allocation


Contact Information

State Contact

Project Director
Linda Berg
Iowa Department of Education
Bureau of Community Colleges and Career and Technical Education
Grimes State Office Bldg., 400 East 14TH Street
Des Moines , IA 50319-0146
Phone: (515) 242-5032
Fax: (515) 281-6544
e-mail: linda.berg@iowa.gov
Web Site: http://www.iowaworkforce.org/
CIDS: http://www.iowaworkforce.org/
State Administrative Location

Iowa Department of Education

Regional Contact Information