Iowa State Workforce Development Board

A photo of a map of an image of Iowa

The Iowa State Workforce Development Board (SWDB) oversees the development and implementation of the state workforce development plan.  The duties of the Iowa Workforce Development Board include, but are not limited to, the following activities: 

  • The development and implementation of a 20-year comprehensive workforce development plan.
  • The preparation of a five-year strategic plan.
  • The development of evaluation methods.
  • The establishment of guidelines for the awarding of grants.
  • The review of grants awarded by Iowa Workforce Development.
  • The recommendation of departmental usage of federal funding.
  • The adoption of administrative rules recommended by the director of Iowa Workforce Development.

Key Links

Local Workforce Area Map with Six Regions

Local Workforce Development Areas

Iowa currently has six local workforce areas. The SWDB ensures that each area has the resources to support employment programs across the state. 

History

Legislation was passed in May 1996 to create a new state department, Iowa Workforce Development, to streamline employment and training programs. The Iowa State Workforce Development Board was created in the legislation to help support the state's workforce strategy and make decisions on programs in various local areas of the state. In 1999, the Board assumed the responsibilities of the State Workforce Investment Board under the federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) signed into law in August 1998.

For more information on previous local areas, visit: History of Iowa’s Local Workforce Areas.