Southwest Iowa Advanced Manufacturing Sector Board
May 12, 2015 Meeting Notes
Members in attendance: Larry Miller (Conductix), Rogene Smith (Conductix – on phone); Jay Gerdts
(Lisle Corp); Charlie Richardson (AKS); Julie Wolf (Pella); Lynn Maschino (NSK); Ato Taylor and Jorge
Zedillo (Eaton); Lucy Murguia and Kathleen (Tyson – on phone); Carol Young and Eric Kennedy (IWCC).
Others in attendance: Matt Mancuso (on phone), Mark Stanley, Starlyn Isaacson, and Brenda Aguero
(IWCC); Liz Carlson (IowaWORKS); Terry Bailey (Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce); Mary Warren (M.
Warren Consulting).
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS: Mary Warren thanked members for traveling to the Iowa Western
Page/Fremont County Center in Shenandoah. New attendees Terry Bailey, Brenda Aguero and Liz
Carlson were introduced.
MEMBERSHIP DISCUSSION: Members were provided with a list of industry board members, education
board members and community resources. Mary told members that she attended a training session on
sector boards and learned that it’s considered a best practice to have economic development and public
workforce development representatives attend meetings to serve as a resource for industry members.
Terry Bailey from the Council Bluffs Chamber and Beth Winquist and Jason Landess from IowaWORKS
have been added to the list of meeting attendees.
PRIORITIZATION OF GOALS: Mary asked members to rate the short term goals that are listed in the
Board Charter so that we can focus our efforts on the top priorities for members. The top 3 goals were:
1. Align the advanced manufacturing career pathway map with existing certificate, diploma and degree
programs. Tied for 2nd). Increase partnerships between industry, education, community based
organizations and workforce development entities. Tied for 2nd). Increase communication to all partners
regarding current activities involving the industry and education, and share best practices.
Mary will modify the Charter to reflect these priorities.
MANUFACTURING, INDUSTRY AND AGRICULTURE (MIA) EVENT: Liz Carlson with IowaWORKS was
present to share information about a new career event that is being planned for December 2nd at the
Iowa Western Center in Clarinda. Approximately 150 high school sophomores and juniors from five
schools will spend a day hearing a key note speaker and attending breakout sessions led by industry
representatives, including some Manufacturing Sector Board members. The intent is to make students
aware of career options that don’t necessarily require a 4 year degree, and to educate them about the
variety of career opportunities available in their local communities. Eric Kennedy offered to bring a
robot to display at this event.
This generated discussion about the importance of making connections with local schools to encourage
students to tour, job shadow, and learn about manufacturing careers. It was noted that guidance
counselors are often not well-informed about manufacturing and don’t offer positive and accurate
information to students. Larry asked how we can make connections with school staff to boost
interactions between schools and businesses. He also asked if business members could be given a list of
contact people in the local schools so they can reach out to create partnerships. Mary offered to
contact Natalie Harris, Iowa Western’s Coordinator of work-based learning activities to see if she could
share this information. Liz Carlson said she was invited to speak to a group of guidance counselors in
the past and knows they meet on a regular basis. She said she would share that contact information
with Larry Miller for the group. Perhaps they would be willing to welcome some representatives from
local businesses to one of their meetings.
Rogene Smith commented that most schools now offer websites that students and parents can use to
view grades, announcements and other information. She thought schools might be willing to place ads
that businesses would sponsor with career information. It was also recommended that perhaps the
schools would be willing to allow companies to come in and set up a “booth” during their parent teacher
conferences to educate the parents about career path opportunities.
JOB SKILLS REPORT: Matt discussed the updated Skills Report that compiled the information submitted
by manufacturing companies regarding high demand jobs, corresponding skills and related IWCC
training programs. He pointed out a couple of areas where training did not adequately address skill
needs, including machinists, electro mechanical and industrial maintenance tech. He said that Iowa
Western’s Instructional Council is examining some existing programs to determine if they should be
revamped to better address the needs of businesses. Making such changes can be a lengthy and costly
process, so educational institutions need to determine labor market needs and student interest to
ensure program success.
Larry commented that there is a pressing need for workers with these skills now, so we need to
generate solutions sooner rather than later. Short term trainings and apprenticeships are options to
consider.
Julie Wolff of Pella Corp mentioned that Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa has a machinist
program and that their Pella, Iowa facility hires many of their graduates. It was also mentioned that
DMACC and SWCC offer successful manufacturing-themed programs and it was inquired why IWCC
couldn’t use their curriculum to start a program here. The businesses inquired what was needed when
IWCC says they need “support” for these programs – financial/monetary, advertising, equipment,
recruiting, etc. Companies want to be informed and involved in setting up a new program. Mark Stanley
offered to gather information and report back to the group at the next meeting.
SUMMARY OF IWCC MANUFACTURING PROGRAMS: Matt told members that he is working with IWCC
staff to develop a career pathway map for the manufacturing industry. A draft will be presented at the
next meeting so members can provide feedback.
FALL MANUFACTURING EVENTS: Starlyn Isaacson talked about Manufacturing Day which will be on
October 2nd. Eaton is planning to host the event by opening their facility for public tours. High school
students, customers, family members and business groups will be invited.
The fall SWIMAQ event will be held on October 22 in Clarinda. The morning presentation on the
Innovation Cycle will be by Pete Nadolny of CIRAS at Iowa State University, and after lunch the group will
tour NSK. Starlyn encouraged members to provide suggestions for topics and speakers to herself or
Mary. One member said it’s helpful to be given an overview of relevant classes and resources offered by
Iowa Western. Another member said a presentation on generational differences in the workplace might
be useful information.
Mary mentioned that sector board members would be invited to a presentation on apprenticeships by
Richard Madden with the Iowa department of labor. He will be giving this presentation to the Regional
Workforce Investment Board on July 22 at IWCC in Council Bluffs.
NEXT STEPS:
The next meeting will be held in Council Bluffs and is tentatively set for July 14th. Larry asked if 6
meetings a year was adequate to generate results, and most members seemed to prefer the current
every other month meeting schedule. More frequent email communication and assigning tasks to be
completed between meetings was recommended. Before the next meeting:
1. Mary will ask Natalie Harris about contact names and information at the local schools. Mary will also
ask Natalie if she can present a report at the next meeting to show the number of work-based learning
activities for the 2014-2015 school year.
2. Matt will work with other Iowa Western staff to develop a draft career pathway map for
manufacturing and will present it at the next meeting for review and feedback.
3. Matt and Mark will work with the Iowa Western Instructional Council to discuss the feasibility of
offering an Associate Degree program.