Intermediary Network (Statewide Work-Based Learning Intermediary Network)

The Iowa Department of Education was appropriated $1.45 million for the development and implementation of a statewide network comprised of fifteen regional work-based learning intermediary networks. These service regions are defined as the community college regions. These networks will prepare students for the workforce by connecting business and the education system by offering relevant, work-based learning activities to students and teachers, particularly related to science, technology, engineering, or mathematics occupations, occupations related to critical infrastructure and commercial and residential construction, or the targeted industries of advanced manufacturing, biosciences, and information technology.

Iowa Intermediary Network

Purpose

The purpose of the program shall be to prepare students for the workforce by connecting business and the education system and offering relevant, work-based learning activities to students and teachers.  The program shall:

• Better prepare students to make informed postsecondary education and career decisions.
• Provide communication and coordination in order to build and sustain relationships between employers and local youth, the education systems, and the community at large.
• Provide a one-stop contact point for information useful to both educators and employers, including information on internships, job shadowing experiences, and other workplace learning opportunities for students, particularly related to science, technology, engineering, or mathematics occupations, occupations related to critical infrastructure and commercial and residential construction, or targeted industries as defined in section 15.102.
• Integrate services provided through the program with other career exploration-related activities such as the student core curriculum plan and the career information and decision-making system developed and administered under section 279.61, where appropriate.
• Facilitate the attainment of portable credentials of value to employers such as the national career readiness certificate, where appropriate.
• Develop work-based capacity with employers.
• Provide core services, which may include student job shadowing, student internships, and teacher or student tours.
   

Regional Intermediary Networks

Iowa Intermediary Network Contact Information

Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS) Intermediary Program

The purpose of the IVRS Intermediary program is to help meet the vision of a future-ready Iowa that prepares individuals for dynamic careers and lifelong learning, meets employer needs, grow family incomes and strengthens communities. The VRS Intermediary program provides for a team members from the community college to expand vocational rehabilitation capacity providing excellent pre-employment transition services to high school students with disabilities in designated districts, which will help prepare the students to enter employment or additional post-secondary training following secondary school graduation. Students will have the opportunities to earn about work readiness skills, career pathway opportunities and expand work-based learning providing increased opportunities for employment in a chosen career field. The Intermediaries will work collaboratively with IVRS counselors and with other center partners to provide the career readiness and career exploration services to districts where gaps are identified. Services may include career exploration, job shadows, plan tours, career day experiences, job seeking skills training, and understanding local labor market information and training opportunities that will lead to placement in those careers.

IVRS Contacts

Reports

FY 2019 Work-Based Learning Intermediary Network Report
FY 2018 Work-Based Learning Intermediary Network Report
FY 2017 Work-Based Learning Intermediary Network Report
FY 2016 Work-Based Learning Intermediary Network Report
FY 2015 Work-Based Learning Intermediary Network Report