DES MOINES – Iowa has the second lowest unemployment rate in the nation, according to July numbers released by Iowa Workforce Development on Friday. The state’s unemployment rate dropped to 2.6 percent last month, hitting an 18-year low and tying Iowa with North Dakota for No. 2.
“This new ranking speaks to the strength of our state, its economy and its people,” Gov. Reynolds said. “But we’re not going to stop. We’re unleashing opportunities for Iowans to get training and prepare for rewarding careers through Future Ready Iowa. Our employers hire these skilled workers and grow, making our communities even more prosperous. I want our young people to see the opportunities available to them in Iowa and make our state the home where they live, work and raise families.”
Future Ready Iowa is Iowa’s goal of 70 percent of Iowans having education or training beyond high school by 2025. Right now, just over half of our workforce has post-secondary training.
Registration is open for 13 Future Ready Iowa Regional Summits, with more to be announced next week. The summits will be held around Iowa and bring together business, community, economic development and education organizations to create local strategies to solve local challenges and needs.
Iowa Workforce Development Director Beth Townsend encouraged Iowans to participate in the summits.
“As the Future Ready Iowa Alliance recognized, workforce needs are local as are the solutions,” Townsend said. “The fall summits are a tremendous opportunity for leaders to work together to identify needs and design community driven solutions.”
Click here to learn more about Future Ready Iowa.
