OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

Governor Terry E. Branstad \;- Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds

Future Ready Iowa Roundtable: Focus on Overcoming Barriers to Employment

\;INVITATION

Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds will hold a public Future Ready Iowa Roundtable in \;the Quad Cities (Davenport) in \;the St. Ambrose University\, Rogalski Center Ballroom\, on April 1\, 2016\, 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 pm to continue a statewide conversation about how to close the workforce skills gap. \; Strengthening Iowa's talent pipeline will help ensure students and workers have the career opportunities they deserve\, and that business and industry have the skilled employees they need to compete in a knowledge-based economy. Roundtable participants for the discussion will include the governor and lt. governor\, business\, workforce\, and education leaders\, and Iowans with perspective on upskilling the existing workforce. Audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions and make comments. \;

While numerous statewide initiatives are moving Iowa in the right direction\, it is essential to better align our education and workforce systems for an even more prosperous future. \; Thanks to a generous grant from the National Governors Association\, the Governor and Lt. Governor worked with a variety of stakeholders to develop the Future Ready Iowa goal that 70% of Iowans in the workforce should have education and training beyond high school by 2025. \; Quite simply\, training and education credentials -- two- or four-year degrees\, industry-recognized certificates\, or other credentials \;- are vital to future career success. We look forward to a robust discussion on how to accomplish this goal and to help close the skills gap.

Quad Cities Future Ready Iowa Roundtable \;- A focus on Overcoming Barriers to Employment:

Friday\, April 1\, 2016\, 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. St. Ambrose University\, Rogalski Center Ballroom\, 3rd floor \;518 West Locust St. Davenport\, IA 52803

**R.S.V.P. HERE if you will be joining us for the roundtable conversation**

There will also be another roundtable in Marshalltown on Monday\, \;March 28\, 10:30 a.m. to \;11:45 a.m.\, Fisher Controls LLC Emerson Process Management Innovation Center\, 301 S. 1st Ave. \;Marshalltown\, IA 50158. \; The Marshalltown Future Ready Iowa Roundtable will focus on Up-Skilling the Existing Workforce. \; You may R.S.V.P. for that roundtable using the same link as above.

\;Please feel free to contact Jennifer Meier at Jennifer.meier@iowa.gov \, with any questions.