Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, Dubuque Works UpdateJeanne Schneider - Re: Dubuque Works Presentation to City Council
From: "Karen Kluesner" <KarenK @greaterdubuque.org>
To: "Jeanne Schneider" <Jschneid @cityofdubuque.org>
Date: 01/19/2010 1:19 PM
Subject: Re: Dubuque Works Presentation to City Council
Jeanne - okay know he said it could just be his progress report and he would discuss Dubuque Works. So we
will leave as it - February 1st - progress report to City council which will include an update on Dubuque Works
Thanks, Jeanne.
Karen Kluesner, Office Manager
Greater Dubuque Development Corporation
300 Main Street, Suite 120
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
563 - 557 -9049 - phone
563-557-1059 - fax
karenk(agreatordubuque.org
www.greaterdubuque.orq
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»> "Jeanne Schneider" <Jschneid @cityofdubuque.org> 1/19/2010 12:22 PM »>
He could give them both on February 1st if he wants. Let me know and I will put him on the agenda.
Thanks!
Karen Kluesner, Office Manager
Greater Dubuque Development Corporation
300 Main Street, Suite 120
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
563 - 557 -9049 - phone
563 - 557 -1059 - fax
karenk(a greaterdubuque.org
www.greaterdubuque.orq
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Page 1 of 2
»> "Karen Kluesner" <KarenK @greaterdubuque.org> 01/19/2010 12:19 PM »>
Hi Jean - I was wondering if Rick could get on the agenda sometime to give an update to the City Council on
Dubuque Works. This would be separate from the Progress Report he is giving n the 2nd. Can he do it the
same night, just two separate items. Let me know
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Dubuque Works Successes 2009
In November of 2008, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation was presented with the task of
analyzing and revitalizing Dubuque's current Workforce Development strategy. After several meetings
with key workforce development leaders within the community, the concept of "Dubuque Works"
emerged. The group took a close look at existing workforce programs and identified strengths,
weaknesses, duplication of services and opportunities for collaboration. The seven community partners
under the Dubuque Works umbrella have established individual goals and objectives that need to be
met in order to ensure the comprehensive success of Dubuque Works as a whole. Dubuque Works
partners include Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, The Telegraph Herald, Dubuque Area
Chamber of Commerce, Northeast Iowa Community College, Iowa Works, Dubuque Area Labor
Management Council and the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque.
The group fills workforce gaps that currently exist within the community and bolsters existing workforce
programs. This includes battling the local brain drain, promoting skilled trade and technology careers in
local middle school and high schools, developing existing talent within local businesses, helping
unemployed and underemployed individuals build bridges to employment, connecting job seekers to job
opportunity through the web, and welcoming newcomers into the community.
Dubuque Works has been made possible through financial support provided by the City of Dubuque, the
Mystique /Dubuque Racing Association and Dubuque County. Funding will be strategically divided among
Dubuque Works partners in order to support new and existing workforce strategies.
Greater Dubuque Development Corporation— Sarah Harris
• AccessDubuqueJobs.com experienced its largest increase in site traffic since the site launch in
1997, currently averaging 88,000 visitor sessions per month in 2009. This is a 31% increase over
2008 traffic and a 46% increase over visitor sessions in 2006 when Greater Dubuque
Development was given the responsibility for site promotion.
• The growth of Greater Dubuque Development's Workforce Initiative has continued to remain
steady through 2009. Thirty -seven businesses in the Greater Dubuque Area were active
investors when Greater Dubuque Development took over the workforce initiative in January of
2007. By February of 2008, workforce investors grew to 85, a 130% increase from the previous
year. Currently workforce investors hold steady at 90, a 6% increase despite of the toughest
economic recession since the early 1980's.
• Greater Dubuque Development successfully launched the Why Dubuque? Workforce
Recruitment Marketing Campaign to target demographic audiences in the spring and fall of
2009. The ongoing promotion drives job- seeker traffic from across the country to
AccessDubuqueJobs.com. Greater Dubuque Development's latest workforce recruitment video
entitled "Why Dubuque ?" was recently recognized at a conference hosted by Dave Ivan from
Michigan State University. Dave spoke about doing the "right things" for a regional economic
development strategy and featured the AccessDubuqueJobs.com Spring Campaign video as a
best practice for other regions promoting workforce.
• The Opportunity Pack, Greater Dubuque Development's staple community recruiting package,
has been revised and updated and will now be available online to support the community's
commitment to sustainability. On average, over 1,000 Opportunity Packs per year are sent
nationally and internationally to individuals considering relocation to Dubuque.
• For the first time in history, cohesive marketing was created between the Dubuque Area
Chamber of Commerce and Greater Dubuque Development to promote on- campus activities
geared to increase retention of college students in the Greater Dubuque Area. The Chamber
Welcome Back Bash, Greater Dubuque Development's CEO Network Luncheons and the
Chamber Dubuque Live events have all been streamlined to create one unified marketing front.
• October and November of 2009 were packed with the 2 Annual set of CEO Network luncheons
hosted on all five college campuses in the Greater Dubuque Area. Local CEO's from 20 different
companies spoke with over 500 students at the University of Dubuque, Loras College, Clarke
College, University of Wisconsin - Platteville and Northeast Iowa Community College.
• Newcomer Service is the key 2009 addition to Greater Dubuque Development's strategic
workforce plan, made possible through Dubuque Works funding. In February of 2009, Shannon
Gaherty was hired as the Newcomer Relations Coordinator and has taken Newcomer Services to
a new level. Greater Dubuque Development's Newcomer Services program has evolved into
three areas: Recruitment, Relocation and Retention.
Recruitment: Greater Dubuque Development enhances area business recruitment efforts by
supplying potential employees with information about the community through an Opportunity
Pack -- Greater Dubuque Development's staple recruitment package. Personal follow -up is
conducted two additional times after the package is sent, highlighting the newcomer services
available to anyone considering the Greater Dubuque Area as home. The Newcomer Relations
Coordinator provides a community tour for all potential and new employees who request it.
The community tour allows the candidate to learn more about the community, while helping
local employers fulfill their recruiting needs.
• Newcomer Services Stats:
✓ Serving more than 375 individuals /families since March 1, 2009
✓ More than 3 dozen businesses have utilized the newcomer services including
recruitment, relocation, and retention.
✓ Since March of 2009, Greater Dubuque Development has conducted more than
70 community tours, many of which have made the difference in a candidate's
decision to call Dubuque home.
Relocation: The Newcomer Relations Coordinator provides one -stop concierge resource
services to all employers in the Greater Dubuque area. These services include information on
the following:
• Housing resource: rent and purchase
• Financial institutions
• Health care options
• Education: pre -k through higher education
• Recreation opportunities available
• Social and civic organizations
• Trailing spouse /significant other career assistance
• Information on services and businesses in the area
• Utility information such as cable, internet, and phone
• Tours of the city /county /region
• Answering any questions new and prospective employees might have,
but don't know who to ask
Retention: Retention is the final piece of the workforce efforts at Greater Dubuque
Development and one area that has been overlooked for some time, until now. Our research
with area Human Resource professionals indicated that some newcomers find it difficult to
make a permanent connection to the Dubuque area upon arrival. It was suggested that a
program be created to help individuals learn more about Dubuque's past, present and future.
As a result of their input, Greater Dubuque Development created a newcomer program called
Distinctively Dubuque. Distinctively Dubuque is a fun way for newcomers to experience
Dubuque and become involved and connected members of the community. Distinctively
Dubuque is collaboration between Greater Dubuque Development and the Northeast Iowa
Community College Town Clock Center for Professional Development and is a core goal of the
Dubuque Works plan.
✓ The first session of Distinctively Dubuque was held October 7 — November 11, 2009 at a
variety of locations throughout Dubuque and included many fun, hands -on activities
including a scavenger hunt, learning to play euchre and trolley tours of Dubuque.
✓ The first class included 27 participants from 8 different businesses in the Greater
Dubuque area.
✓ Comments from participants:
❖ "Thank you so much for everything! I really enjoyed this program ".
❖ "Great job on all accounts ".
❖ "1 was planning to leave the area and as a result of this program, I feel more
connected to the community have decided to stay."
❖ "Very enjoyable and informative. I'll miss these Wed night diversions! Thank
You "!
❖ "I regret I missed two sessions!!"
❖ "Well done! This program definitely helped us connect with DBQ."
❖ "Great Job! Keep up the good work!"
• "Thank you for all of the work you have put into this! It is great getting to
know other new professionals in the area! Thanks again for everything!"
• "I always love the trolley ride. It's nice to visit places and get the history of
different areas around town. I also enjoyed listening to the speakers talk
about the wide variety of tourism things to do /see in the area. Additionally,
I always enjoy the networking with other professionals."
• "I really enjoyed hearing about the different avenues that I can take in the
various organizations Dubuque has to offer."
• "It took me 6 years in Dubuque to learn what the other participants learned
in 6 weeks!"
• The second session of Distinctively Dubuque began January 13, 2010. Like the first session, this
session was a sell out in just a few short weeks. Twenty -five participants representing more
than six companies are registered. The third session is scheduled to begin on March 24 and
has several registered participants. Marketing for this session will begin in February. Additional
sessions will be schedule throughout 2010.
• In July of 2009, Greater Dubuque Development launched a new website that includes several
pages devoted solely to those relocating to the Greater Dubuque area. The site includes
information on the Newcomer Concierge - Services available to those moving to Dubuque,
information on www.accessdubuquejobs.com, housing, education, climate, city services,
frequently asked questions and a tool -kit that provides specific information on relocation. The
site is marketed through Greater Dubuque and is provided to all newcomers working for IBM,
Hormel and other area businesses. www. greaterdubuque .org /relcoation.cfm
• Dubuque Works partnered with Sedona Staffing to create a program that would help
spouses /significant others /domestic partners /family members moving to Dubuque find the right
career opportunity and help jump start their career. Sedona's trailing spouse program is
available to any newcomer who has recently moved to Dubuque and looking for work.
The staff at Sedona meets individually with each candidate to learn more about their skills set
and desired career. Together they discuss a strategy which may include the distribution of their
resume, personal phone calls to businesses looking for candidates with those skills, distribution
to TRIHRA (Tri -State Human Resource Association) and placement in known positions. Sedona
reports the program is working well and several newcomers have been placed in positions
throughout the Greater Dubuque area. Recently they added the services to their website at
http: // www .careerpros.com /Trailing.html. This partnership is a great example of how the
Dubuque Works restructuring has worked to restructure a dormant program with one that
provides a direct, impactful service.
Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce — Zoe Pole
• YP Dubuque Membership has grown 40% since the beginning of the fiscal year in June, from 280
members to 391 members. The largest growth was due largely in part to the introduction of a
College Chapter of YP Dubuque, the Future Young Professionals, which brought in 75 new
student members. The YP College Chapter strengthens student retention efforts by helping
students make connections in the business community during their college careers in Dubuque.
It also prepares them for the workforce with professional development programming tailored to
their needs and interests and offers opportunities to build leadership skills through planning and
execution of events, goal setting and volunteering on YP Committees.
• The internship advocacy program, Internship Connect has enhanced the internship section of
AccessDubuqueJobs.com. Internship program profiles and video testimonials were added for
businesses to highlight their internship programs on the site. The internship page not only adds
appeal to students by giving them detailed knowledge of the opportunities available in
Dubuque, it provides first hand feedback from peer video testimonials. The newly enhanced site
also encourages area businesses to get involved in Internship Connect, by providing a unique
avenue to highlight the culture of their organizations and the opportunities they have to offer.
• Fifty -four new Internship Program Profiles were added to the AccessDubuqueJobs.com
Internship site in 2009 with 19 video testimonials from local interns. The Dubuque Area
Chamber of Commerce also offered two internship workshops to assist area businesses in
developing new internship programs. 19 Local businesses attended the workshop. 5 businesses
have developed new internship programs as a result and 15 more are currently working with the
Chamber to establish future internship programs.
• The Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce distributed 1,800 "DBQ 101" community resource
books to incoming and transfer students at each area college highlighting
DubuqueChamber.com, YPDubuque.org, AccessDubuqueJobs.com, GreaterDubuque.org,
CityofDubuque.org, AccessDubuque.com, and AccessMyFuture.com.
Dubuque Area Labor Management Council— Kelly Cooper
• A new, cutting -edge career website, AccessMyFuture.com, was created to promote career
awareness in the middle school and high schools. The site was heavily promoted through
face -to -face contact with students, print, billboards, busses, giveaways, and other targeted
marketing to the middle school and high school audience. The website was in collaboration with
East Central Intergovernmental Association who also heavily advertised the website.
• 691 students from ten area schools attended the 2009 Career & Technical Fair held at the
Grand River Center on November 3rd and 4th
✓ Eight different manufacturing and construction careers were highlighted including
Engineers, CNC Operators, Assemblers, Carpenters, Electricians, Plumbers and Fitters,
Welders, and Construction Managers.
✓ Eight different health care careers were highlighted including Hospital Nurses, Office
Nurses, CNA and technicians, Pharmacists, Physical and Occupational Therapists,
Dieticians, Speech Therapists and Medical Laboratory Technicians.
✓ Six different informational technology careers were highlighted including Software
Developers, Operations Support, Networking, Database, GPS /GIS and Web Developers.
• High School Career Fairs were offered to 2,000 students at Hempstead High School November
17, 2009 and Senior High School December 15, 2009. The career fairs highlight the skilled trades
in the Greater Dubuque Area and featured 35 speakers and 64 presentations in classrooms
throughout the day promoting specific industries. Wahlert and Western Dubuque career fairs
are scheduled for spring of 2010.
• An Industry Tours directory was created and distributed to all schools within a 30 mile radius of
Dubuque. The tour directory is also available in PDF form for easy teacher and counselor
distribution. Hempstead High School, Western Dubuque and Cascade High School all
participated in tours this fall. Additional tours are scheduled for second semester.
• Education Program booklets were created listing all of the education programs in the tri -state
area for the target industries of Health Care, Information Technology and
Manufacturing /Construction. The booklets are distributed to high school and college students as
well as those that are unemployed and underemployed.
• The 8 Grade Construction Expo was held in October 2009 at Portzen Construction.
Approximately 575 students attended from 11 different schools in the Greater Dubuque Area.
Ten different trades were represented at this hands -on expo.
• The 8 Grade Career Exploration Fair was held on December 4, 7 and 8 at the NICC Town Clock
Center. Approximately 850 students attended over those three days to learn about 15 different
careers. All 8 grade students from Dubuque County and East Dubuque attend this fair. The fair
was a partnership between DALMC, NICC and Iowa Works.
Iowa Workforce Development (Iowa Works) — Peggy Murray
• The Breaking Barriers and Pre - Employment Strategies class (44 hrs of instruction) were taught to
10 ex- offenders from March through June of 2009.6 ex- offenders graduated from the class and
100% found full -time or part -time employment after graduation.
• The Pre - Employment Strategies curriculum (32 hours of instruction) was used for an ARRA grant
targeting minorities, women and ex- offenders in Dubuque (15 students) for six weeks in October
and November, 2009.
✓ 87% of job seekers completed the class (13 of 15)
✓ 85% of attendees had jobs by the end of the series
✓ 100% of job seekers are continuing to be case managed
✓ Iowa Works continues to enhance community involvement and promote partnerships
with businesses for on- the -job training and continuing education
✓ Next series to begin April of 2010
• The Pre - Employment Strategies course (32 hours curriculum) was taught to 10 PAVE students in
fall, 2009. The PAVE program at Northeast Iowa Community College, Peosta Campus, is a
secondary special education program for selected students. When you attend Pave you have the
opportunity to participate in community college courses that allow you to explore vocational
programs while completing your high school diploma.
• A Career Training and Employment Trends workshop was presented to K -12 Dubuque
Community School teachers and counselors including information on job trends, labor market
information, an HR panel, and information on the National Career Readiness Certificate. One
hundred and fifty faculty attended the session at Hempstead on March 18, 2009 and 24
teachers and counselors attended training on November 17, 2009.
• A presentation on the National Career Readiness Certificate and local job trends was presented
to high school junior and senior students and parents at Dubuque Senior High School on
September 21, 2009.
• Forty businesses in our region (20 from Dubuque County) have signed letters of commitment
(MOU) supporting Iowa's National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) program
• Peggy Murray, Business Marketing Specialist at Iowa Workforce Development, conducted 46
face -to -face meetings with local businesses; spoke with numerous groups including Rotary Club,
Labor groups, NICC Business Advisory Committee, etc. and hosted four training sessions for
employers on business topics including employment law, FMLA, OSHA and workplace violence.
• Progressive Processing, LLC (Hormel Foods Corporation) signed letter of commitment and
"strongly recommended" NCRC for all their production laborer positions posted in October,
2009.
• 96% (23 out of 24) of initial production/ manufacturing associates new hires at Hormel had
earned their NCRC certification.
• 1,237 individuals (as of 12- 15 -09) have completed NCRC assessments in Region 1 and 1,106
(89.0 %) have achieved a minimum of Bronze certification. 200 students are funded annually by
Dubuque Works to take the assessment.
• Students (I -JAG and PAVE) in Dubuque: 99 registered, 77 assessed, 47 earned a minimum of a
bronze certificate (61 %). 22% of those registered did not complete all three assessments.
• A Survey was sent in August, 2009 to all those who attained the National Career Readiness
Certificate credential by May of 2009 - sent to 280 valid addresses with 17.5% response rate;
results included:
✓ 59% of respondents were currently working
✓ 52% of respondents not working have gone back to school
✓ 35% of those working felt NCRC played a part in their obtaining a job
✓ 50% of those working felt their employer was aware of their NCRC credential
✓ Many positive comments from job seekers re: NCRC
✓ Opportunity identified: 45% of respondents did not include their NCRC certification on
resume /application
• "You're Hired" event was held for over 120 job seekers on September 15 2009 at Iowa Works
with the help of community partners. 13 Human Resource professionals from the community
gave presentations on career and interviewing skills and participated in panel discussion. This
event was followed up with one -on -one mentoring and coaching sessions for 75 individuals on
September 16 2009.
• Iowa Works business cards continue to be given out by Police Captain Russ Stecklein, on his
rounds in neighborhoods to promote employment.
Northeast Iowa Community College — Wendy Wheelock
• The Northeast Iowa Community College Business Consortium has 14 companies with 2,650
employees eligible for training in 2010! Companies are signing up for all types of classes,
including the Leadership Institute.
Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque — Alyssa Hauser
• The Getting Ahead Program hosted 6 classes to date: A Summer 2008 Pilot class, two classes in
fall of 2008 and three classes in summer of 2009. Seventy -two individuals graduated from the
classes and only 21 (12%) did not complete the program due to finding employment, moving out
of the area, or not completing the class.
• Getting Ahead participants not only learn skills to help them become involved citizens on the
road to employment, they are also providing an assessment of community services and
feedback for improvement. The next Getting Ahead class will begin in February 2010. Referrals
are being accepted beginning December 2009.
• Getting Ahead Program Results through January 2010:
✓ 5 are homeless (decrease of 19 from beginning of class)
✓ 72 individuals have graduated from the program
✓ 28 are employed part -time (increase of 9 from beginning of class)
✓ 13 are employed full -time (increase of 1 from beginning of class)
✓ 3 are enrolled in a GED program (increase of 1 from beginning of class)
✓ 4 are enrolled in higher education (increase of 1 from beginning of class)
• Financial Impact on the Community:
✓ Homelessness: According to Opening Doors shelter in Dubuque, the average cost per
person to stay at a local shelter is $47.00 per day, and the average stay is 7 months. On
average, it costs a shelter $9,870.00 per individual. At the beginning of the Getting
Ahead program, 24 individuals were homeless and moving in and out of the Maria
House, Teresa Shelter and the Mission for 7 months or more, costing approximately
$236,880.00 for temporary housing. Currently, only 5 of the graduates are homeless as
a result of finding work and renting apartments with a total savings of $187,530.00 for
community shelters.
✓ Employment: Nine of the graduates were able to find part -time employment upon
finishing the process. Based on minimum wage, an individual working 20 hours per week
at $7.25 an hour makes approximately $580.00 per month or $6,960.00 per year. The
total earned income from the nine graduates who are now employed part time is
$62,640.00. Not only are the graduates finding work, they are also applying the skills
and knowledge they gained in the class, creating a work history and having some
financial means to support themselves.
✓ The decrease in homelessness and increase in employment has an ongoing positive
financial impact to our community. This does not include the financial impact of parents
getting their children out of foster care, finding full -time employment, buying a house,
or getting off government benefits. The results from the Getting Ahead process are
described as "life changing" by some graduates.
• Graduate quotes and successes stories:
✓ "I feel more empowered and know that I can work toward the goals I want to
succeed at."
✓ "This class was a great experience for me and everything I learned I will carry with
me always."
✓ "This program not only changed my life -it saved my life!"
✓ Female began the group unemployed with four children in foster care. As of (Oct. 1)
her children were returned to her.
✓ Female began class unemployed with three small children. She is now enrolled in
NICC pursuing a degree in early childhood education and is also an AmeriCorps
volunteer for the Getting Ahead program.