South Central Iowa Local Workforce Development Board

South Central Iowa Local Workforce Development Board (LWDB) is a non-profit organization overseeing the workforce services in the fourteen counties of Appanoose, Davis, Hardin, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lucas, Mahaska, Marshall, Monroe, Poweshiek, Tama, Van Buren, Wapello, and Wayne County in Iowa known as the South Central Iowa Workforce Area (SCIWA). We serve job seekers and employers who access services provided by a network of partners through IowaWORKS Centers located in Marshalltown and Ottumwa. Our work is funded through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and other grant opportunities.

The Chief Elected Officials (CEOs) and Workforce Development Board provide visionary leadership and oversight to the workforce development ecosystem in our local area. Boards convene education and workforce partners in real-time to impact the skilling and re-skilling of Iowa's workforce and put people back to work in career pathways that provide self-sufficiency. The board sets funding priorities focused on workforce issues like wages, job mobility, access, and equity. By identifying labor market trends and working with local businesses and economic developers, boards understand the skills that are in demand and foster the necessary industry sector partnerships, training, and credential programs for the local area.

 America relies on the national network of workforce boards.

Local workforce development boards are a formal group of community leaders (acting much like a Board of Directors) that identify the needs of a local job market in a city, county, or region. Workforce Boards oversee local IowaWORKS centers, leverage resources, direct and align workforce and economic initiatives in their area. The board exists to help local businesses find qualified workers and ensure full utilization of the workforce. The board is a link between a region's workforce talent and its employer's skill needs.

Boards convene education and workforce partners in real-time to impact the skilling and re-skilling of Iowa's workforce and put people back to work in career pathways leading to self-sufficiency. The board sets funding priorities focused on workforce issues like wages, job mobility, access, and equity. By identifying labor market trends and working with local businesses and economic developers, boards understand the skills that are in demand and foster the necessary industry sector partnerships, training, and credential programs for the local area.

Reports. Plans. Profiles.

  • Local Plan 2022 - 2024

    The Local Plan is an action plan to develop, align, and integrate service delivery strategies and resources across the one-stop delivery system in a Local Workforce Development Area (LWDA). The Local Plan must support the achievement of Iowa's vision, goals, and strategies as outlined in the State Plan and is implemented as a business-led, results-oriented, and integrated system.

  • Program Year 2022 Annual Report

    During program year 2022, South Central Iowa Local Workforce Area continued to develop resources and capacity. The board has made intentional and concentrated efforts to collaborate with stakeholders to leverage resources and launch innovate system and program design as well as continued implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. This report is organized to give reader’s insight to the COVID-19 post pandemic response, sector strategies, business services and employer engagement, program highlights and innovation. This includes performance across our core partner programs, participant success stories, and annual performance analysis.

  • 2021 Annual Profile

    Local Workforce Development Area and Metropolitan Profiles are created using Iowa Workforce Development, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and U.S. Census Bureau data. Each report includes year-over-year comparisons by industry and employment, projections, job outlooks, unemployment statistics, and other workforce-related information.