Career opportunities and affordable health care options move forward

Upmeyer Column: We have officially reached spring and I am really hoping that warm weather will soon follow. It's normally around this time that Rep. Lee Hein, a colleague and farmer from the eastern part of the state, starts giving me the daily soil temperature report. That's usually a good sign that we are reaching the end of the legislative session. However, we still have important work to get done before we can adjourn for the year!
Future ready Iowa act heads to Governor's desk
This week, I had the opportunity to participate in a workforce development round table with Governor Reynolds and President Trump's daughter, Ivanka. We toured the Waukee APEX, which is a collaboration between the area schools, the local community colleges, and local businesses to provide students with experiences work-based experience similar to an internship or apprenticeship. Research and special projects are done both at APEX and at businesses sites.
It's amazing what can be accomplished when schools, community colleges, trade organizations, and local businesses are all brought to the table to partner together.
The scheduling of Ivanka's visit was incredibly timely. On that same day, the Iowa Senate unanimously passed the Future Ready Iowa Act, which the House passed last week, and sent it to Governor Reynolds' desk to be signed into law. Workforce development and Future Ready Iowa has been the Governor's top priority this session, and I'm proud we could get that done.
Future Ready Iowa will help us build a skilled workforce pipeline by:
o Providing high school students with new education and career opportunities,
o Creating new job training and support programs, and
o Providing new financial assistance programs
Future Ready Iowa will help us achieve Governor Reynolds' goal for 70 percent of Iowa's workforce to earn a skill certification or college degree by the year 2025. It will help us more closely connect our schools, community colleges, and local businesses. It will make students aware of the most in-demand jobs in Iowa and provide them with first-hand, work-based learning.
I am confident that the The Future Ready Iowa Act will improve the lives of Iowans by helping workers attain the skills they need for high-paying careers. It will also help businesses grow and expand by ensuring they have the skilled workforce needed for a 21st century economy.
As always, please keep in touch. As legislation moves forward, feel free to send me comments, questions or feedback that you may have regarding issues before us in the House. I can be reached at linda.upmeyer@legis.iowa.gov or 515-281-3521.