Iowa Central Community College, Fort Dodge, decided to charge $100 a table this year at its annual upcoming Mid-Iowa Job Fair April 1. It is a test to see if employers believed in the concept enough to pay for it. The result: A resounding "yes," according to David Raedeker, Director of Career Development and Placement Services/Enrollment Management. "Employers realize they have to try a little harder and to provide a little more incentive to get quality employees," he said. "We have 45 booths sold which is about the same as last year, but our students are more excited about this year's fair because they know that the employers have paid to be there which means they have jobs that they want to fill." In the North Central Iowa area, Raedeker said that drafting, nursing (both PN and RN), retail management training, secretarial graduates, semi-truck drivers, machinists and broadcasters are hot job areas. He said 60-percent of the college's graduates in vocational programs will remain in the nine-counties that comprise Area V -- the college's mostly rural service area.
He said a full 95-percent will stay in Iowa, most close to home. "Our students have roots in their communities and are mostly older," he said. "They are looking to better themselves locally. And, traditionally, community colleges aren't a big drain from Iowa." He said vocational employers are looking for many of the same job skills that white collar employers seek, such as the ability to work as part of a team, dependability, communication skills and computer skills.
Most vocational graduates also don't plan to stay in one job for their entire career, he added. "With all the down-sizing going on right now, people know that life-time employment is not a reality. They want the skills." A big trend Raedeker said he has noticed at the college is an increase in third-party recruiters -- firms hired by employers to represent them.
"To hire the quality people, they are letting agencies do the find for them," he said. At Des Moines Area Community College, Dorothy Thornton said she has noticed a similar trend, but that internships are still a very viable way for vocational students to locate good jobs. "Students are looking for experience and internships are still one of the best ways to get it," Thornton said. "Experience will often translate into better salaries when hired, too."
Most vocational graduates also don't plan to stay in one job for their entire career...with all the down-sizing going on right now, people know that life-time employment is not a reality. They want the skills."
"...this unique collaboration of business and non-profit may be a model for other cities to follow."
"Students are looking for experience and internships are still one of the best ways to get it."
Thornton said that 95-percent of DMACC's vocational graduates will remain in the Metro area. "Students in the vocational programs intend to stay around here -- close to Des Moines. Or, if they come here from some other area, they are wanting to return to that area." She noted that salaries for vocational graduates are also increasing in the Metro area and she said that trend will continue with the area's strong unemployment numbers. She has also noted a rise in sign-on bonuses and tuition reimbursement programs. Hot vocational job areas at DMACC, in addition to those listed above, include CAD (drafting), tool and die, welding, and air-conditioning. tomorrow because pretty soon if you don't know how to operate a computer, you're going to be left behind. Jobs are the bottom line."