NICC to Receive More Than $650,000 in Funding Through Iowa STRONG Project

The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded $10,800,000 to a program focused on expanding short-term training programs and developing Workforce Pell-eligible programs at Iowa's community colleges.

Administered by the department's Employment and Training Administration, this sixth round of Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants funding is awarded to statewide community college systems, or a consortium of community colleges, to ensure effective development and expansion of the new programs and support the statewide coordination that is necessary for successful implementation of Workforce Pell Grants.

Iowa's project, named Iowa STRONG (Systems, Training and Resources for Opportunity, Navigation and Growth) is a united effort between Iowa's community colleges, the Iowa Department of Education and Iowa Workforce Development (IWD). Hawkeye Community College will manage statewide implementation of the program, which aims to develop more than 50 Workforce Pell-eligible training programs in advanced manufacturing, construction and skilled trades and healthcare by 2030.

Iowa STRONG will also enhance IWD's wage record reporting infrastructure, conduct employer outreach and support statewide data integration and outcomes reporting.

What Iowa STRONG Means for Northeast Iowa

As a funded consortium partner and subrecipient, Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) will receive $656,101 over the next four years to drive local program expansion. The College is slated to develop five new short-term programs and pathways in healthcare and manufacturing specifically tailored to meet local workforce needs.

The initiative focuses on creating high-quality, stackable credentials-ensuring short-term programs act as gateways to further education. Students can enter the workforce quickly with recognized credentials and later build upon them toward additional certificates or degrees without duplicating coursework.

Employer responsiveness is central to the design of Iowa STRONG. Rather than developing programs independently, NICC is partnering directly with regional employers to identify needed skill competencies, review curriculum, recommend hands-on technology and equipment and validate credentials to match real-world hiring requirements. Local employers who signed letters of commitment supporting the grant efforts include Decker Precision Machining, Featherlite Trailers, Medical Associates, Modernfold and ProPulse.

"Strategic grant investments like Iowa STRONG allow NICC to build on strong partnerships and bring new resources to the communities we serve," said Anna Berns, NICC executive director of advancement. "We're excited to be part of a statewide effort that will create more opportunities for students across northeast Iowa."

By leveraging federal Workforce Pell eligibility, the new short-term programs will expand federal financial aid access to qualifying students-making rapid career entry and upskilling significantly more affordable and accessible for adult learners and working professionals.

"Our employers continue to tell us they need skilled workers who can enter the workforce quickly and continue building their skills over time," said Amy Lasack, vice president of Business and Community Solutions at NICC. "Iowa STRONG will help NICC develop short-term, stackable training opportunities that respond directly to those needs while creating more accessible pathways to high-demand careers."

The funding significantly contributes to national efforts to rapidly and effectively meet employer hiring needs, fill critical skill gaps in high-demand sectors, support worker mobility and break down silos between higher education and state workforce systems through unified data integration.

Grant Funding Attribution Statement

Iowa STRONG is funded through a $10.8 million Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grant awarded to Hawkeye Community College by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. Northeast Iowa Community College is a funded consortium partner and subrecipient.

For more information about the College's participation in Iowa STRONG, contact Anna Berns at [email protected]. For statewide project information, contact Constance Grimm, GPC, at [email protected].