DMACC has received a $1,171,420 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to provide career and technical training to as many as 80 low-income 18- to 24-year-olds.

The awarding of the grant is part of the Job Corps Scholars Program, a new national demonstration project aimed at providing at-risk youth with job skills instruction, educational opportunities and individualized employment counseling.

The three-year grant will pay for all tuition and fees for the 80 qualified students participating in the program, and also provide career technical training, and intensive personal and career counseling services to support and facilitate completion of the program. In addition, employment counseling services will be provided, including follow-up employment services.

At DMACC, this program will be known as the Workforce Training Academy – Young Adult Program (YAP) and will be overseen by DMACC Continuing Education Department Executive Director Michael Hoffman.

“There are many young people in low-income households across Central Iowa who are underemployed or unemployed," Hoffman said. “This federal grant will be another important step in helping DMACC prepare these youth for employment in high demand, good wage jobs. We're eager to get started."

Hoffman said the Workforce Training Academy – Young Adult Program will enroll 80 individuals over two years into targeted Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs that lead to careers in high demand and well-paying fields.

The following DMACC Career and Technical Education programs, all of which can be completed in 12 months or less, are offered under the grant:

• ​Administrative Support Professional

• Certified Nursing Assistant and Advanced Certified Nursing Assistant

• Patient Intake & Billing

• Phlebotomy

• Sterile Processing Supply Technician

• Computer Numerical-Controlled (CNC) Operator 

• MIG Production Welding

• Core Construction Basic Equipment Operator

• Network Cable Installer

• Commercial Vehicle Operator Training (Class A or B CDL)

​​“We will recruit two YAP cohorts, each consisting of 40 participants for a total of 80 over the grant period," Hoffman said. “Our targeted audience will be individuals ages 18-24 who hold a high school credential." 

According to Hoffman, DMACC will utilize community and neighborhood organizations for referrals to the YAP. He said all eligible applicants will complete a qualification process to identify education and employment goals.

Hoffman said that's why it's important to communicate clearly the expectations of participating and building trust between the program staff and the YAP participants. 

"For the YAP, we will focus on recruiting participants to enroll in programs offered through our Workforce Training Academy (WTA). These programs consist of both credit and non-credit options," Hoffman said.

Two current DMACC employees, Kay Maher and Pam Gaddy, who have worked with the WTA, will serve as YAP supervisors. They will supervise two full-time Personal and Career Counselors and two full-time Employment Counselors.

The Personal and Career Counselors will recruit, screen, enroll and monitor participants as well as assess students for individual needs and coordinate the delivery of services to meet those needs.

The Employment Counselors will build new business partnerships and assist students in all phases of a job search.

The YAP supervisors and the counselors will be located at the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families, and also have satellite offices at other DMACC locations, including the DMACC Ankeny and Urban Campuses and the Southridge Learning Center, where training will be held.