Reynolds highlights Iowa’s strong economy and workforce in White House roundtable

Gov. Reynolds participated in a roundtable at the White House to discuss workforce freedom and mobility where she was able to highlight Iowa’s strong labor market and workforce opportunities. Reynolds specifically highlighted the Future Ready Iowa Initiative, occupational licensing reform, and how these efforts are expanding economic opportunity for Iowans. (submitted photo)

DES MOINES – Earlier today, Gov. Reynolds participated in a roundtable at the White House to discuss workforce freedom and mobility where she was able to highlight Iowa’s strong labor market and workforce opportunities. Reynolds specifically highlighted the Future Ready Iowa Initiative, occupational licensing reform, and how these efforts are expanding economic opportunity for Iowans.

“Iowa’s strong labor market and low unemployment rate offers a remarkable opportunity to lead the way on initiatives such as Future Ready Iowa and expanded registered apprenticeship programs from high schools to the prison system,” said Gov. Reynolds. “I’m proud that this last legislative session we expanded reciprocal licenses for military spouses and are eager to build on that next year. These efforts continues to be part of our overall workforce strategy in order to resolve challenges and expand economic well-being of Iowans. I sincerely appreciate President Trump’s focus on American workers and their families.”

Reynolds highlighted one of her signature policies, the Future Ready Iowa Act

• The Last-Dollar Scholarship program will help more Iowans achieve education or training beyond high school leading to high-demand jobs by helping pay tuition for designated programs of study up to two-year degrees.
• The Future Ready Iowa Grant program provides stipends to Iowans who left college after earning at least half the credits toward a four-year degree in a high-demand field, and who return to complete a degree.
• The Future Ready Iowa Employer Innovation Fund is a grant opportunity for employers and other partners to collaborate and carry out innovative, creative initiatives to address local workforce issues. A state matching grant is available to qualifying applicants.

Reynolds talked about occupational licensing reform, and what she did this past legislative session for reciprocal licenses for military spouses

• The legislation allows for military spouses (and veterans) to use their occupational licenses issued in any U.S. state as valid licenses in our states. State administrative bodies must issue occupational licenses within 30 days of receiving an application from military spouses who are licensed in another state.
• This reform will not only benefit military spouses but also our state economies which can now more easily employ this under-utilized talent.

Reynolds also highlighted Iowa’s strong labor market:

• Iowa’s unemployment rate is at 2.4%. Iowa is tied with New Hampshire for third lowest in the nation.
• Iowa’s labor force participation rate is 69.1%, one of the highest in the country.
• The total number of working Iowans increased to 1,670,200 in April, 30,100 more than one year ago.

Other governor’s that participated in the roundtable discussion include, Governor Sununu (NH), Governor Lee (TN), Governor Gordon (WY), Governor Kemp (GA), Governor Wolf (PA), Governor Ige (HI), and Governor Ducey (AZ).