Northwest Iowa Community College (NCC) President John Hartog says skilled trades remain one of the most critical parts of Iowa’s workforce, as demand continues to grow across manufacturing, healthcare, and technical industries.
According to Iowa Workforce Development, construction workers in Iowa earn an average of about $66,000 per year — well above the statewide average salary of about $57,000.
NCC President John Hartog says community colleges play a central role in workforce development across Iowa, as demand continues to grow in skilled trades, healthcare, and technical fields.
Hartog says while NCC offers traditional transfer degrees, most students are choosing direct-to-workforce programs such as welding, engineering design, healthcare, diesel technology, and electrical fields.
The topic has also received attention from two gubernatorial candidates.
Republican candidate for governor Adam Steen says Iowa must place greater emphasis on the skilled trades as a pathway to economic opportunity.
At the federal level, Iowa 4th District Congressman and Republican candidate for governor Randy Feenstra says workforce development should begin early and give students flexible options after high school.
Hartog says community colleges like NCC are essential to meeting those goals, not just for students, but for the long-term health of the region’s economy.
