84A.13  Iowa employer innovation program — fund.
  1.  For purposes of this section, “high-demand job” means a job identified by the workforce development board or a community college pursuant to section 84A.1B, subsection 14, as a high-demand job.
  2.  Subject to an appropriation of funds by the general assembly for this purpose, the Iowa employer innovation program is established in the department of workforce development. The department shall administer the program in consultation with the workforce development board. The purpose of the Iowa employer innovation program is to expand opportunities for credit and noncredit education and training leading to high-demand jobs for the residents of Iowa and to encourage Iowa employers, community leaders, and others to provide leadership and support for regional workforce talent pools throughout the state.
  3.  The department of workforce development shall adopt rules under chapter 17A establishing a program application and award process to match employer moneys and the criteria for the allocation of moneys in the fund established pursuant to subsection 4. An employer, employer consortium, community organization, or other entity seeking matching moneys shall submit an application and a proposal to the department. In awarding matching moneys, the department shall take into account various factors, including but not limited to all of the following:
  a.  The range of high-demand jobs, innovative measures, and geographic fairness and equity included in the proposal.
  b.  Whether the proposal increases the number of eligible students receiving financial assistance under the future ready Iowa skilled workforce last-dollar scholarship or future ready Iowa skilled workforce grant programs established under sections 261.131 and 261.132; or increases the donation of books, transportation, child care, and other wrap-around support to assist eligible students receiving financial assistance under section 261.131 or 261.132.
  c.  Whether the proposal includes performance-based bonuses paid when high school students earn national industry-recognized credentials aligned with high-demand jobs that meet regional workforce needs.
  d.  Whether the proposal expands internships leading to high-demand jobs.
  e.  Whether the proposal offers innovative ways of expanding opportunities for credit and noncredit education and training leading to high-demand jobs.
  f.  Whether the proposal addresses areas of workforce need throughout the region.
  4.  An Iowa employer innovation fund is created in the state treasury as a separate fund under the control of the department of workforce development, in consultation with the workforce development board. The fund shall consist of any moneys appropriated by the general assembly and any other moneys available to and obtained or accepted by the department from the federal government. A portion of the moneys deposited in the fund, in an amount to be determined annually by the department of workforce development in consultation with the workforce development board, shall be transferred annually to the Iowa child care challenge fund. The assets of the Iowa employer innovation fund shall be used by the department in accordance with this section. All moneys deposited or paid into the fund are appropriated and made available to the board to be used in accordance with this section. Notwithstanding section 8.33, any balance in the fund on June 30 of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund of the state, but shall be available for purposes of this section and for transfer in accordance with this section in subsequent fiscal years.
2018 Acts, ch 1067, §11, 15; 2020 Acts, ch 1117, §5
Referred to in §84A.1B, 84A.5, 84A.13A
Subsection 4 amended