Marano Fellows Class of 2011
Name: Kim Johnson
Organization:

Kirkwood Community College

Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Primary Industry Sector:

Advanced Manufacturing /
Logistics
Type of Organization: Community College and RWIB

“Sector Work is about partnerships (CC, CBOs, Employers, Funders) working together for a community and workforce solutions by lowering the number of individuals in the region in poverty while meeting regional workforce needs and thus impacting economic development as well.”

Organizational Mission: Kirkwood Community College, founded 1966:

Kirkwood Community College identifies community needs; provides accessible, quality education and training; and promotes opportunities for lifelong learning.

Continuing Education & Training Services, founded 1966:

Interest in Sector Work: At Kirkwood Community College we have been actively engaged in sector work, however, not to the degree we envision. The sector work coupled with career pathway work makes for a compelling scalable strategy to impact low-income, low-skill adults attainment of a college credential, employment, and middle wage jobs.

We will focus on Advanced Manufacturing/Logistics. We chose this focus for several reasons:

  • In our region, Advanced Manufacturing is the third largest employment sector (behind Health Care and Education)
  • The industries median wages are above the median average wage for the region
  • We have a diverse manufacturing base so it would support several sectors to build upon if we are successful
  • Currently regional manufacturers have shared a concern at filling entry level technical and high level technical positions

Our targeted population is: low-income (250% of poverty level); basic skills deficient (No GED, or ABE eligible)