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H1B Technical Skill Training Grant_Letter of SupportNORTHEAST IOWA COMMUNITY COLLEGE student driven...community focused U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Division of Federal Assistance Attention: Thomas Martin, Grant Officer 200 Constitution Avenue, NW Room N4716 Washington, D.C. 20210 Reference SGA/DFA PY 10 -13, Dear Mr. Martin, We are extremely pleased to express our joint commitment to the Skill Up: Up- skilling IT in Iowa & Wisconsinproposal submitted by Northeast Iowa Community College in response to the H1B Technical Skills Training Grants program. This application represents the vision of a broad partnership of education, workforce, and business and industry to grow a strong information technology workforce in Northeast Iowa and Southwest Wisconsin. This grant would provide much needed job training for locally high- demand information technology occupations across the advanced manufacturing, professional and business services, and health care industries to more than 2,000 incumbent and unemployed workers in the region. The proposed initiative has been carefully designed to provide education, training, skills upgrades, and, when applicable, support services, and job placement assistance in the occupations and industries for which employers nationally are using H -1B visas to hire foreign workers (or along the career pathway to such occupations). Therefore, the following required partners from the education, workforce, and employer communities are pleased to delineate their commitment below: WORKFORCE PARTNERS Several months of strategic planning for this project included grant strategy development by the public workforce system.These partners have been actively engaged in identifying the eligible population in the grant region, including demographics and skills needs, providing assistance with program design, and working to identify systems for reporting on participant data. As such, the workforce partners have committed the following to this proposal: • Providing relevant sources of data, including the workforce investment board's strategic plan, labor market information, and reports • Identifying and assessing candidates for education and training in the grant program • Connect qualified training graduates to employers through placement assistance • Assistance with collecting, tracking, and reporting participant data to DOL ETA • Offering core and intensive program services to eligible workers • Providing WIA training funds where appropriate to cover training- related costs of eligible participants • Distributing supportive service funding provided to eligible participants as appropriate • Providing guidance on the start-up and implementation of the proposed project • Assisting in the dissemination of "best practices" derived from this project • Serving on the grant advisory board for this project The total estimated value of these resources from the workforce partners, including Region 1 Employment and Training and the Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Development Board is $95, 000. Additionally, the education community throughout the region has come together to plan for efficient implementation of this training project to avoid duplication and best utilize grant resources. As a group, these institutions, including NICC, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, Loras College, and Clarke University, agree to the following: • Training a pipeline of eligible participants for information technology occupations through credit, non - credit, and customized training opportunities • Sharing curriculum as appropriate for training solutions Calmar Campus P. 0. Box 400 Calmar, IA 52132 -0400 563.562.3263 800.728.2256 Fax 563. 562.3719 Peosta Campus 10250 Sundown Road Peosta, IA 52068-9703 563.556.5110 800.728.7367 Fax 563.556.5058 NICC Centers: Chickasaw County • Cresco • Delaware County • Dubuque • Oelwein • Town Clock • Waukon • Strengthening articulation agreements between community college and 4 -year partners to increase ease of transfer • Recruiting additional business partners to send incumbent workers to training and hire newly trained workers • Establishing clear career pathway opportunities for participants among institutions • Appointing a lead person at each institution to act as project coordinator • Participating in advisory board meetings for implementation of this project The total estimated value of these resources from the EducationSystem is $521,116. As the lead applicant, Northeast Iowa Community College commits to the following additional responsibilities: • Hiring a project director to oversee advisory board and implement project work plan • Fiscal administration of grant project. including overseeing expenditures, reimbursements to partners, and tracking of match and leveraged funds • Leading the grant advisory board EMPLOYER PARTNERS As a regional employer, The IBM Corporation employs approximately 1300 information technology workers. In the next five years, we anticipate the need to train approximately 1000 members of our current workforce. Additionally, we anticipate hiring 160 replacement employees for occupations targeted by this project. As a partner in this project, we commit to the following: • Defining the project goals and activities • Identifying necessary information technology skills and competencies for training • Sending eligible employees to project training opportunities to upgrade skills and advance along career ladder • Matching grant funds through wages paid to employee participants • Providing resources to support education /training when possible • Agreeing to have a representative on grant advisory board • Identifying and sharing occupational needs and data Deere & Company is a world leader in providing advanced products and services and is committed to the success of customers whose work is linked to the land —those who cultivate, harvest, transform, enrich and build upon the land to meet the world's dramatically increasing need for food, fuel, shelter and infrastructure. Since 1837, John Deere has delivered innovative products of superior quality built on a tradition of integrity.John Deere Dubuque Works anticipates the need to train approximately 900new and current workers with IT skills. As a partner in this project, we commit to the following: • Defining the project goals and activities • Identifying necessary information technology skills and competencies for training • Sending eligible employees to project training opportunities to upgrade skills and advance along career ladder • Matching grant funds through wages paid to employee participants • Providing resources to support education /training when possible • Where appropriate, hiring qualified participants who complete grant- funded education and training programs based on real job projections • Agreeing to have a representative on grant advisory board • Identifying and sharing occupational needs and data RentechNitrogen Partners manufactures and sells nitrogen fertilizer products including ammonia, urea ammonia nitrate, urea granule, and urea solution in the corn-belt region of the central United States. As a regional employer, REMC employs 150 information technology workers. In the next five years, we anticipate the need to train 130 members of our current workforce. As a partner in this project. we commit to the following: • Defining the project goals and activities • Identifying necessary information technology skills and competencies for training • Sending eligible employees to project training opportunities to upgrade skills and advance along career ladder • Matching grant funds through wages paid to employee participants • Providing resources to support education /training when possible • Where appropriate, hiring qualified participants who complete grant - funded education and training programs based on real job projections • Agreeing to have a representative on grant advisory board • Identifying and sharing occupational needs and data Westmark Enterprises, Inc. provides shared corporate resources including IT, Accounting, HR, Telcomm, Contract Review, Purchasing, Inventory Control, and Facilities Management for our group of family owned Publishing and Real Estate Development companies. As a regional employer, Westmark Enterprises, Inc. employs 9 information technology workers. In the next five years, we anticipate the need to train 6 members of our current workforce. Additionally, we anticipate hiring 3 employees for occupations targeted by this project. As a partner in this project, we commit to the following: • Defining the project goals and activities • Identifying necessary information technology skills and competencies for training • Sending eligible employees to project training opportunities to upgrade skills and advance along career ladder • Matching grant funds through wages paid to employee participants • Where appropriate, hiring qualified participants who complete grant - funded education and training programs based on real job projections • Agreeing to have a representative on grant advisory board • Identifying and sharing occupational needs and data Cottingham& Butler Insurance Servicesare professional insurance advisors and service providers since 1887 —we provide a full suite of employee benefit and risk management services through our team of more than 380 industry professionals. As a regional employer, Cottingham& Butler employs 13 information technology workers. In the next five years, we anticipate the need to train 13 members of our current workforce. Additionally, we anticipate hiring 5 employees for occupations targeted by this project. As a partner in this project, we commit to the following: • Defining the project goals and activities • Identifying necessary information technology skills and competencies for training • Sending eligible employees to project training opportunities to upgrade skills and advance along career ladder • Matching grant funds through wages paid to employee participants • Providing resources to support education /training when possible • Where appropriate, hiring qualified participants who complete grant - funded education and training programs based on real job projections • Agreeing to have a representative on grant advisory board • Identifying and sharing occupational needs and data Dubuque Data Services writes, sells and supports Dealer Management Systems (DMS) to auto, agricultural and trucking dealerships. As a regional employer, Dubuque Data Services employs 29 information technology workers. In the next five years, we anticipate the need to train all 29 members of our current workforce. Additionally, we anticipate hiring 14 employees for occupations targeted by this project. As a partner in this project, we commit to the following: • Defining the project goals and activities • Identifying necessary information technology skills and competencies for training • Sending eligible employees to project training opportunities to upgrade skills and advance along career ladder • Matching grant funds through wages paid to employee participants • Providing resources to support education/training when possible • Where appropriate, hiring qualified participants who complete grant - funded education and training programs based on real job projections • Agreeing to have a representative on grant advisory board • Identifying and sharing occupational needs and data Eagle Window & Door, an Andersen Window & Door company, manufactures a complete line of high - quality aluminum - clad windows and doors. Eagle focuses exclusively on high -end residential (new and remodel) and commercial construction. As a regional employer, Eagle Window & Door anticipates the need to train 60 members of our current workforce. Additionally, we anticipate hiring 7 employees for occupations targeted by this project. As a partner in this project, we commit to the following: • Defining the project goals and activities • Identifying necessary information technology skills and competencies for training • Sending eligible employees to project training opportunities to upgrade skills and advance along career ladder • Matching grant funds through wages paid to employee participants • Providing resources to support education /training when possible • Where appropriate, hiring qualified participants who complete grant - funded education and training programs based on real job projections • Agreeing to have a representative on grant advisory board • Identifying and sharing occupational needs and data Heartland Financial USA, Inc. is a multi -bank holding company with subsidiaries in eight states; our principal business consists of making loans to and accepting deposits from businesses and individuals in the communities we serve through strong banking/community relationships, a full complement of products and ancillary services and leading edge technology and delivery systems. As a regional employer, Heartland Financial USA, Inc. employs 31 information technology workers. In the next five years, we anticipate the need to train 15 members of our current workforce. Additionally, we anticipate hiring 8 employees for occupations targeted by this project. As a partner in this project, we commit to the following: • Defining the project goals and activities • Identifying necessary information technology skills and competencies for training • Sending eligible employees to project training opportunities to upgrade skills and advance along career ladder • Matching grant funds through wages paid to employee participants • Providing resources to support education/training when possible • Where appropriate, hiring qualified participants who complete grant- funded education and training programs based on real job projections • Agreeing to have a representative on grant advisory board • Identifying and sharing occupational needs and data Medical Associates Clinic and Health Plans is a multi - specialty group practice with a small health insurance company. We employ over 1000 employees in the greater Dubuque region, including 33 IT workers. We expect that we would train around 13 existing employees under this grant and hire 3 employees for occupations targeted by this project. As a partner in this project, we commit to the following: • Defining the project goals and activities • Identifying necessary information technology skills and competencies for training • Sending eligible employees to project training opportunities to upgrade skills and advance along career ladder • Matching grant funds through wages paid to employee participants • Providing resources to support education /training when possible • Where appropriate, hiring qualified participants who complete grant- funded education and training programs based on real job projections • Agreeing to have a representative on grant advisory board • Identifying and sharing occupational needs and data Scot Industries provides components for hydraulic and pneumatic industry. As a regional employer, Scot Industries employs 7 information technology workers. In the next 5 years, we anticipate the need to train 5 members of our current workforce. Additionally, we anticipate hiring 2 employees for occupations targeted by this project. As a partner in this project, we commit to the following: • Defining the project goals and activities • Identifying necessary information technology skills and competencies for training • Sending eligible employees to project training opportunities to upgrade skills and advance along career ladder • Matching grant funds through wages paid to employee participants • Providing resources to support education/training when possible • Where appropriate, hiring qualified participants who complete grant- funded education and training programs based on real job projections • Agreeing to have a representative on grant advisory board • Identifying and sharing occupational needs and data Cabela'sis the World's Foremost Outfitter of hunting, fishing and outdoor gear. As a regional employer, Cabela's Prairie du Chien employs 20 employees who would benefit from information technology training. In the next five years, we anticipate the need to train 10 members of our current workforce. Additionally, we anticipate hiring 5 employees for occupations targeted by this project. As a partner in this project, we commit to the following. • Defining the project goals and activities • Identifying necessary information technology skills and competencies for training Sending eligible employees to project training opportunities to upgrade skills and advance along career ladder • Matching grant funds through wages paid to employee participants • Providing resources to support education/training when possible • Where appropriate, hiring qualified participants who complete grant- funded education and training programs based on real job projections • Agreeing to have a representative on grant advisory board • Identifying and sharing occupational needs and data Rayovac, a division of Spectrum Brands, Inc., is a world class manufacturer of Alkaline Batteries and one of only a handful of companies producing alkaline batteries in the United States. Spectrum Brands is a global consumer products company and a leading supplier of consumer batteries, lawn and garden care products, specialty pet supplies, shaving and grooming products, household insect control products, personal care products and portable lighting. Spectrum Brands' products are sold by the world's top 25 retailers and are available in more than one million stores in 120 countries around the world. As a regional employer,Rayovac employs 350 manufacturing employees who would benefit from information technology training in the areas of networking and PLC's. In the next five years, we anticipate the need to train 10 members of our current workforce. Additionally, we anticipate hiring 3 employees for occupations targeted by this project. As a partner in this project, we commit to the following: • Defining the project goals and activities • Identifying necessary information technology skills and competencies for training • Sending eligible employees to project training opportunities to upgrade skills and advance along career ladder • Matching grant funds through wages paid to employee participants • Providing resources to support education /training when possible • Where appropriate, hiring qualified participants who complete grant- funded education and training programs based on real job projections • Agreeing to have a representative on grant advisory board • Identifying and sharing occupational needs and data 3M Incorporated was founded in 1902 and today employs more than 69,000 people around the world, delivering an extensive range of products, technologies and services to customers in more than 200 countries. 3M Prairie du Chien specializes in abrasive manufacturing. As a regional employer, 3M Prairie du Chienemploys 40 employees who would benefit from information technology training in the areas of networking and PLC training. In the next five years, we anticipate the need to train 40 members of our current workforce. Additionally, we anticipate hiring 10 employees for occupations targeted by this project. As a partner in this project, we commit to the following: • Defining the project goals and activities • Identifying necessary information technology skills and competencies for Where appropriate, sending eligible employees to project training opportunities to upgrade skills and advance along career ladder • Matching grant funds through wages paid to employee participants • Providing resources to support education /training when possible • Where appropriate, hiring qualified participants who complete grant - funded education and training programs based on real job projections • Agreeing to have a representative on grant advisory board • Identifying and sharing occupational needs and data Curwood is part of Bemis Company, Inc., the largest flexible packaging company in the Americas and a major manufacturer of pressure sensitive materials used for labels, decoration and signage. As a regional employer, Curwood employs 120 manufacturing employees who would benefit from information technology training in the areas of networking and PLC's. In the next five years, we anticipate the need to train 30 members of our current workforce. As a partner, we commit to the following: • Defining the project goals and activities • Identifying necessary information technology skills and competencies for training • Sending eligible employees to project training opportunities to upgrade skills and advance along career ladder • Matching grant funds through wages paid to employee participants • Providing resources to support education /training when possible • Where appropriate, hiring qualified participants who complete grant- funded education and training programs based on real job projections • Agreeing to have a representative on grant advisory board • Identifying and sharing occupational needs and data HyPro Incorporated is a value leader in the machining, manufacturing, and assembly of components and complex assemblies. HyPro relies on over 40 years of manufacturing and assembly experience. Combining state of the art C.N.C. machining equipment, manufacturing systems, strong supply chain relationships and a commitment to quality and continuous improvement, HyPro targets to meet or exceed its customer's expectations and needs.As a regional employer, HyPro employs 206employees who would benefit from information technology training in the areas of networking and PLC training. In the next five years, we anticipate the need to train 5 members of our current workforce. Additionally, we anticipate hiring 2 employees for occupations targeted by this project. As a partner in this project, we commit to the following • Defining the project goals and activities • Identifying necessary information technology skills and competencies for training • Sending eligible employees to project training opportunities to upgrade skills and advance along career ladder • Matching grant funds through wages paid to employee participants • Providing resources to support education/training when possible • Where appropriate, hiring qualified participants who complete grant- funded education and training programs based on real job projections • Agreeing to have a representative on grant advisory board • Identifying and sharing occupational needs and data Nu -Pak offers a wide range of packaging, converting, manufacturing, and warehousing services. As a regional employer, Nu -Pak employs 250 manufacturing employees who would benefit from information technology training in the areas of networking and PLC's. In the next five years, we anticipate the need to train 5 members of our current workforce. Additionally, we anticipate hiring 1 -2 employees for occupations targeted by this project. As a partner in this project, we commit to the following: • Identifying necessary information technology skills and competencies for training • Sending eligible employees to project training opportunities to upgrade skills and advance along career ladder • Matching grant funds through wages paid to employee participants • Providing resources to support education /training when possible • Where appropriate, hiring qualified participants who complete grant- funded education and training programs based on real job projections • Agreeing to have a representative on grant advisory board • Identifying and sharing occupational needs and data BUSINESS - RELATED NONPROFIT PARTNER Greater Dubuque Development Corporation(GDDC) is dedicated to Business Retention Expansion, National Marketing and Workforce Retention Recruitment and Development. The need for up- skilling employees' information technology skills in our major employmentsector of Professional and Business Services, Advanced Manufacturing, Information Technology and Health Services is critical to retain and recruitbusinesses to our community. As a partner, GDDC will: • continue to define theprojects goals and actives through participation on the advisory board • Meet with businesses' CEOs and human resources managers to address their education and training needs • Assist in identifying businesses that will benefit from this grant • Provide relevant economic development programs that will assist businesses • Provide relevant sources of data and tools to help support the grant The value of these resources is estimated at $6,154. Along with GDDC, the City of Dubuque is committed to closing the IT skills gap in the region to attract and retain businesses, capitalizing on statewide initiatives to grow industries that rely on IT skills, and supporting local efforts (such as project Skill Up) that represent a broad partnership of local leaders to train the current and future workforce. As a group, we strongly believe that the Skill Up initiative provides the comprehensive strategies necessary to fuel these high - growth industries and, if successfully funded, will increase the pool of well- trained, available workers in the IT pipeline. Please give your careful consideration to this proposal. Sincerely, Liang Chee Wee, Ph.D. President Northeast Iowa Community College Duane M. Ford, Ph.D. President Southwest Wisconsin Technical College Carl Orr New Business Manager Nu -Pak Andrew Wickham Finance and Business Integration Manager Eagle Windos & Door Ron Cavanaugh Sr. VP & CFO Westmark Enterprises, Inc. Jay Weber Engineering Manager Curwood Robert T. Borremans, Ed.D, CEO Southwest WI Workforce Development Board Joanne M. Burrows, SC, PhD President Clarke University Michelle Leinbach Training and Workforce Development Manager Rentech Energy Partners 11, ju, Nicole Pfieffer V.P. Human Resources Cottingham & Butler Insurance Services Kevin Simmonds DC Systems Manager Cabela's Chad Lueder Regional Manager HyPro Incorporated Dave Leary, Director Region 1 Employment and Training Michael Vida Manufacturing Engineering Manager Rayovac John Schmidt, HTLF EVP, COO, CFO Heartland Financial USA Sally Dickey Human Resources Manager John Deere Dubuque Works Thomas Pechan Plant Manager Scot Industries, Bar Plant Pat J. Mullarkey, Plant Engineering Operations Supervisor 3M Company, Prairie du Chien James Collins `84 President Loras College Rick Dickinson, CEO Greater Dubuque Development Corporation Colleen Callahan, President Dubuque Data Services L. Terry L Hansen Manager of Public Partnerships IBM Corporation `L- Director, Human Resources Medical Associates Clinics and Health Plans Roy D. Buol, Mayor City of Dubuque *Josh Droessler, Human Resources Manager for Bemis Flexible Packaging: Milprint Division is also a partner on the grant, but did not submit a signature for the letter.