Heath Kellogg, Tama Co. Economic development director receives the Skilled Iowa Community award from Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad on May 13 during a ceremony at the Reinig-Toledo Civic Center. At right are Arturo Sanchez, Iowa Workforce representative and Ronee Slagle, Workforce Development representative in Tama County. (photo by Allison Graham)

A large group of Tama County residents was present at the Reinig-Toledo Civic Center on Wednesday, May 6, for a presentation by Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad to Heath Kellogg, Tama County Economic Development director. The award proclaimed Tama County as a “Skilled Iowa Community” by Iowa Workforce Development.

Gov. Branstad said this commitment will allow the local community, as well as all of Tama County, to attract businesses and better jobs for the county. “This should help economic growth,” he said.

Tama County is one of the 23 counties in Iowa that have attained the designation “Skilled Iowa Community”.

Branstad said Iowa Work Force Development has noted jobs requiring more than a high school diploma up to an Associate degree, account for more than half of the jobs available in t he State of Iowa, but only one third of the work force has the necessary skills.

As Governor Branstad and Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds have traveled the State of Iowa talking to business people and the general public, they continually heard “We have good jobs available, but have a problem finding people with the right skills to fill them”.

The “Skilled Iowa Program” offers tests to High School Students as well as for those already in the workforce, to rate their abilities. The test evaluates three main areas, mathematics, locating information and reading information. The Skilled Iowa program detects competency in all three fields mentioned.

Students and others taking these tests and passing them, earn a “National Career Readiness Certificate” which is recognized throughout the country. These certificates come in four forms, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

These certificates will provide employers with information regarding the applicant’s qualifications before they have an interview. Iowa Workforce claims these certificates serve as a screening test of the applicant.

Iowa Workforce claims over 60,000 individuals in Iowa have earned these certificates and over 12,000 employers endorse the plan.

Following the meeting refreshments were served while Gov. Branstad visited with the crowd and answered questions.