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Opportunity Dubuque: Bridging the Skills Gap and Workforce Shortage
In 2012, the critical skills gap and workforce shortage in the Dubuque area prompted Greater Dubuque Development Corporation (GDDC) to partner with Northeast Iowa Community College to build a unique training program with a full service approach to help individuals find career tracks with area employers. The result is a collaborative job training program that has since been nationally recognized for its positive local outcomes.
Opportunity Dubuque training programs are short-term workforce certifications that can be completed by students in six months or less. Since its launch, the program has recorded 3,582 certificate completions and connected graduates to high-wage, high-demand careers in industries such as advanced manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, information technology, culinary and construction.
“Many persons looking to upskill have financial barriers to connecting with these programs, and Greater Dubuque Development has resources to eliminate those,” stated Nicolas Hockenberry, Director of Workforce Programming at GDDC.
Through the Opportunity Dubuque program, Greater Dubuque Development will pay for certificate tuition and even provide supports for transportation and childcare. All this is to ensure our employers can successfully connect with a developing skilled workforce, and deliver on the promise that YOU can be great here.
Last fiscal year (July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023), GDDC provided more than $171,000 in tuition support grants thanks to funding released from the City of Dubuque, Dubuque County and the DRA.
NICC College and Career Coach Marcus Ingles works closely with students enrolled in Opportunity Dubuque training programs to answer questions, identify financial support options if needed and help with job placement and career advancement. He recently worked with Austin Werner, a graduate of the Customer Service program.
When Austin first came to my office to discuss the class and tuition assistance options, he was very eager to enroll in our Customer Service program and enhance his skills. He had solid career goals in mind and was looking for an opportunity to achieve them. Fortunately, through our community partnerships, we were able to provide support to address program costs and he completed his training successfully.
In 2019, the College and GDDC recognized a need to support student learning with childcare assistance. The College provides childcare at no cost to Dubuque-area students enrolled in Opportunity Dubuque training, providing them with the necessary support to focus on their studies without worrying about their children's well-being. To provide wrap-around support, fulltime employed graduates of these programs could also receive additional childcare assistance for up to 12 months.
The continued partnership with GDDC and other agencies ensures that skills gap analysis is reviewed annually, gaps are identified and informed decisions are made on future certification training needed in the area. The College and GDDC are committed to ensuring community members can be great through Opportunity Dubuque.
