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Mississippi Valley Voices:
Empowering Our Workforce Together
July 1, 2025 - September 30, 2025
Welcome to Program Year 2025! We're excited to share updates, success stories, and upcoming opportunities that support our region’s growth and connect jobseekers, employers, and community partners. Whether you're a business, educator, or community leader, there's something here for you!
| | Changes Coming to Your Local Workforce Board | The Iowa State Workforce Development Board has approved the merger of the South Central and Mississippi Valley Workforce Development Boards into a single 22-county local area effective July 1, 2026. | | Celebrating Achievements: Program Year 2024 in Review | |
Our Program Year 2024 Annual Report has been published, highlighting the progress, partnerships, and impact we’ve made across our local area this past year.
Read the full report on our website.
| | Merger Updates: Building One Stronger Region | |
The Mississippi Valley and South Central Workforce Development Boards are working together to merge into a single 22-county workforce region effective July 1, 2026. This transition will strengthen coordination, improve service delivery, and create a more unified regional approach to workforce development.
MVWDB is now serving as the Fiscal Agent, Board Staff, and Local Grant Recipient for South Central to ensure a smooth transition. Services at IowaWORKS Centers will continue without interruption throughout the process.
Stay informed and share your input:
📘 Merger FAQ
🗣 Feedback Form
🗓 Meeting Updates
Together, we’re Building One Stronger Region.
| Our Mission in Motion: Local Area Statistics | | Our Award and Recognition Program honors individuals and organizations whose leadership and collaboration strengthen workforce development in our region. | |
5 Years of Service
Jacob Nye, IBEW Local 13
Ryan Drew, IUOE Local 150
Cory Bergfeld, IBEW Local 145
Kirby Phillips, Muscatine Power and Water
Regina Matheson, St. Ambrose University
Joyce Stimpson, CNH Industrial America
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Board Member of the Year
Jacob Nye, Business Manager/Financial Secretary, IBEW Local 13
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Business Partner of the Year
Mitzie Pitford, Plant Human Resources Manager, Silgan Containers
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Staff Excellence
Shayla Taeger, Career Planner, IowaWORKS Burlington
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Workforce Champion
Kerri Horton, Payroll Supervisor/HR, JBS Live Pork
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The Accelerate Iowa Youth Program has teamed up with Nahant Marsh to emplower youth in exploring career pathways in conservation and horticulture! Together, we're planting seeds of potential and growth.
🎥 Click the thumbnail below to learn more!
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July 25th - Davenport, IA
IowaWORKS and Home Base Iowa were proud to host a job fair in honor of National Hire A Veteran Day on July 25th which connected 12 veteran-friendly employers with 29 jobseekers.
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August 13th - Davenport, IA
IowaWORKS and partners connected 90 employers with 236 jobseekers at the 9th annual Quad Cities Success Fair!
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September 2025 - MVWA
In honor of Workforce Development Month, IowaWORKS visited all eight counties in the Mississippi Valley Workforce Area with mobile resume workshops!
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September 18th - Burlington, IA
IowaWORKS and partners connected 72 employers with 406 jobseekers, including students from local high schools, at the Southeast Iowa Job Fair!
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National Disability Employment Awareness Month Employer Workshop
Thursday, October 16, 2025
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Greater Burlington Partnership
610 N 4th St. Burlington, IA
Join us for an interactive workshop on disability awareness, etiquette, and inclusive hiring practices. Learn practical strategies to create welcoming workplaces, strengthen recruitment efforts, and tap into a talented and often underutilized labor pool.
RSVP here.
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Reverse Job Fair - National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Thursday, October 23, 2025
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Davenport Public Library - Fairmount Branch
3000 N Fairmount St. Davenport, IA
Flip the script! At a reverse job fair, candidates set up booths to showcase their skills and employers walk the room to connect with potential talent.
Join us to meet candidates seeking healthcare roles in dietary services, housekeeping, phlebotomy, biomedical technology, sterile processing, and more.
RSVP here.
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Manufacturing Month Job Fair - Lee Co.
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
10:00 - 12:00 p.m.
Southeastern Community College - Keokuk Campus
335 Messenger Rd. Keokuk, IA
Connect with top employers in manufacturing who are hiring now. Whether you're just starting out or looking to switch careers, this is your chance to build your future in the industry that builds everything.
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Advanced Manufacturing Sector Board
Thursday, October 30, 2025
8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Twin State Technical Services
3543 E Kimberly Rd. Davenport, IA
Employers, join us for collaborative discussion to support the advancement of the manufacturing industry!
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Retail Job Fair
Thursday, October 30, 2025
11:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Northpark Mall (Food Court Entrance)
320 W Kimberly Rd. Davenport, IA
Connect with retail employers seeking full-time, part-time, and seasonal help!
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Opportunity Knocks Job Fair
Thursday, November 13, 2025
11:00 - 1:00 p.m.
IowaWORKS Davenport
1801 E Kimberly Rd. Davenport, IA
Cozy up to a new career this winter season! Meet local employers, explore open positions, and find your perfect fit before the holiday season kicks off.
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Work-Based Learning Workshop: Cutting through the Complexity
Friday, November 14, 2025
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Greater Burlington Partnership
610 N 4th St. Burlington, IA
Employers, join us for an interactive workshop to explore work-based learning, clear up common points of confusion and discover how to strengthen talent pipelines while expanding opportunities for youth.
RSVP here.
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Exoskeleton Wearable Technology
Friday, November 14, 2025
9:00 - 1:00 p.m.
EICC Belmont Campus
500 Belmont Rd. Bettendorf, IA
Join EICC and CIRAS for a demonstration of exoskeleton technology, their features, benefits, and applications across industries.
Registration required.
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Quarterly Full Board Meeting
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
IowaWORKS Burlington
550 S Gear Ave. West Burlington, IA
Join us for our upcoming board meeting to stay informed and engaged with our latest workforce initiatives. Your insights and participation help shape the future of our region’s workforce.
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Transportation & Logistics Sector Board
Thursday, November 20, 2025
9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
IowaWORKS Burlington
550 S Gear Ave. West Burlington, IA
Employers, join us for collaborative discussion about recruitment, retention, training, and expansion of career pathways in the transportation industry!
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Opportunity Knocks Job Fair
Thursday, December 11, 2025
11:00 - 1:00 p.m.
IowaWORKS Davenport
1801 E Kimberly Rd. Davenport, IA
Step into a fresh start this December! Discover new opportunities, meet hiring employers, and make your next career move before the new year begins.
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Virtual Lunch & Learn: Retrain & Retain Grant
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
12:00 - 12:30 p.m.
Zoom
Join us for a Lunch & Learn webinar to explore how the Retrain and Retain Grant can help your business upskill employees and strengthen your workforce. Learn from real success stories and get tips to make the most of this funding opportunity!
RSVP here.
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