Ames Today

As counties across Iowa seek to address workforce shortages and other employment-related issues, the new president of the Greater Burlington Partnership wants its new Asset Inventory Map (AIM) to help open more doors for job seekers and businesses alike.

Conceived by the Workforce Advisory Council, under the leadership of president Della Schmidt, the AIM system is set to identify which businesses have needs for workers, and how local schools and colleges can align education opportunities to provide those skills.

Schmidt, who previously served as president and CEO of the Winona Area Chamber of Commerce last year, began her role with the Greater Burlington Partnership, which serves Des Moines County in southeast Iowa.

“One of the things impressed upon me early was the issue of available and skilled workforce,” Schmidt told Ames Today. “As a newcomer, I met with people to find out what already exists in this area as well as conceptions about what is or is not happening.”

The next step was to pull together educators – both higher education and grades K-12 – along with employers, to form the Workforce Advisory Council, which has been working to create the Asset Inventory Map.

It’s scheduled to be released in print form in April, Schmidt said. One publication will be for students and families and a separate publication will be for educators and business leaders. An online presence also will be developed.

“I have had many employers tell me they need help,” Schmidt said. “Our objective is to build a comprehensive inventory of the resources, tools and programs available in our area to help develop the workforce.”

The initiative’s work has already determined one job category in need of many workers: CDL truck drivers.

“The goal is multi-fold,” Schmidt said. “We’re helping students and their families access the tools and resources that exist to help them prepare for their future.”

The Greater Burlington Partnership operates the Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Group, Convention and Visitors Bureau and Downtown Partners Inc.