JOHNSTON, Iowa — More than 1,000 Iowans were delivered the news Monday that, soon, they’d be out of a job. Two major companies — Tyson Foods and John Deere — announced future layoffs, but the state government is stepping up to try and help these workers.
Iowa Workforce Development recently unveiled its new IowaWORKS Mobile Workforce Center, a decked-out truck that will travel around the state to help Iowans who are unemployed find new jobs.
"We're underutilized for what we could be used for," said Joseph Nobile, a career planner for IowaWORKS. "If you're needing assistance with your resume, or a cover letter, or mock interview skills, or if you just want to get a little extra help with job searching, we're here to help."
The services provided by the mobile workforce center are completely free. Career planners will be on site to help navigate the job application process.
On Wednesday, the truck stopped in Camp Dodge, home of the Iowa National Guard, for a special hiring event to help current and former soldiers find the next step in their careers.
Companies can request a visit from the mobile unit online, but the truck’s primary use will be for rapid response when unexpected mass layoffs occur.
“Company closings are going to be the biggest thing. Doing those rapid responses, helping those individuals who are newly laid-off, that’s going to be first and foremost," Nobile told Local 5.
Iowa Workforce Development confirmed with Local 5 that in the coming days, they will send their mobile workforce center out to Perry, where over 1,200 workers were laid off from the Tyson Foods pork plant in town.