IowaWORKS Mobile Workforce Center to make a pitstop in Newton

The IowaWORKS Mobile Workforce Center — which was unveiled last year by the governor and Iowa Workforce Development (IWD), and was subsequently deployed to Perry when its Tyson plant closed — will be making a pitstop in Newton next month to provide job assistance and other related services.

Newton Development Corporation (NDC) and Jasper County Economic Development Corporation (JEDCO) have teamed up to host the mobile center 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 10 in the city parking lot just south of Legacy Plaza at the corner of North Second Avenue West and West Fourth Street North.

Frank Liebl, executive director of NDC, told Newton News that IWD reached out a few months ago and asked if there would be interest in hosting the mobile workforce center in town. Liebl contacted a number of local employers, and they were also interested in it. To him, it provides a unique opportunity for workers.

“Hopefully this will serve as something that will assist both those looking for work and the employers,” he said, noting that job searching these days has changed. “…The way people have to apply for jobs anymore is really strange. Most people have to apply online, and some don’t have access to a computer they need.”

Industries and businesses in Newton are experiencing some difficulty finding workers, but many are getting applications. However, Liebl said there are people who are struggling with resumes and other aspects of the hiring processes. This is where the mobile workforce center can come into play and help those in need.

“They can assist the people seeking jobs by helping them with updating their resumes or help them in how they want to apply for jobs,” he said. “It’s got work stations on that mobile workforce center. I think there is probably a need for this. We’ve never done this but at the same time this is all very new.”

IowaWORKS launched the custom-built bus in 2024. The goal for mobile workforce center was to make it easier and faster for Iowans to access needed workforce services. The mobile workforce center includes many of the services available at one of the 18 physical IowaWORKS locations throughout the state.

Equipped with 10 computer workstations, the bus and its staff will be able to assist with job searches and navigating unemployment claims. In times of employment crisis, like the closing of the pork processing plant in Perry this past year, the bus can immediately respond to displaced workers.

Jeff Davidson, executive director of JEDCO, said connecting people to employment positions that are out there is what he and NDC want to do. In particular, they want to connect certain employment positions requiring certain skills to the people who have those skills.

“When TPI closed a few years ago, NDC and JEDCO heard from several employers looking for people with skills in working with composites because they knew all the laid off TPI folks had those skills,” Davidson said.

IWD has always been helpful in introducing people to the new and updated ways employers are hiring for jobs. The days of responding to classified ads and submitting resumes through USPS are pretty much gone. Davidson said just about everything is online now in terms of employment applications.

“So having an entity like the mobile workforce center that can assist older folks and folks who may not have online access is essential,” Davidson said.

Right now, many people in Iowa are looking for jobs. Companies like John Deere, Weld-Wen and Kinze Manufacturing have all laid off a large number of their employees since the beginning of the year. Liebl said people are out there looking for work, and the mobile workforce center could help them back on their feet.

“If you are looking for assistance, this is just one way we can maybe achieve some of that need in your job search,” Liebl said.