Attracting Veterans to our Local Workforce

The City of Sioux City has partnered with Iowa Workforce Development (IowaWORKS), Siouxland Chamber of Commerce and The Siouxland Initiative to attract veterans to our community through the state’s Home Base Iowa initiative.

To become a Home Base Iowa Business, Sioux City employers are asked to set a goal for the number of veterans they will hire by the end of 2018, commit to post their jobs on the Home Base Iowa website and confirm membership in the Skilled Iowa Program. By completing these actions, local employers will help Sioux City’s efforts to become a Home Base Iowa Community.

“We need Sioux City businesses to join the Home Base Iowa initiative,” said Mayor Bob Scott. “Veterans recruited by the program will bring our local companies strong skill sets including leadership, integrity and loyalty.”

The Home Base Iowa is a unique non-profit private-public partnership that focuses on recruiting veterans and active duty service members for quality, well-paying private-sector jobs in Iowa. “The Home Base Iowa program is the right thing to do for veterans who have served us admirably,” said Debi Durham, Director, Iowa Economic Development Authority. “Beyond that, it’s a great program for Iowa businesses who are looking for top talent. I encourage Iowa businesses to sign on to the Home Base Iowa program to partner with us in recruiting a dedicated, disciplined, and highly-skilled workforce.”

Over the next five years, the U.S. Armed Services will downsize by approximately 350,000 troops. This downsizing will mean thousands of skilled, qualified veterans entering the workforce in Iowa and across the nation. The Iowa military community, Iowa Workforce Development, Iowa Economic Development Authority, and office of Governor Branstad began the Home Base Iowa program to honor our nation’s veterans, end veteran unemployment, and bridge Iowa’s skills gap. Home Base Iowa’s mission is to make Iowa the state of choice for military men and women as they begin their journey to civilian careers. Home Base Iowa will provide veterans with resources that can open doors to job opportunities, welcoming communities, and on-going engagement with the military community.

Employers will have an opportunity to become a Home Base Iowa Business at tonight’s Siouxland Chamber Annual Dinner. To learn more about how to become a Home Base Iowa Business, call the Sioux City Economic Development office 224-5500 or visit www.locatesiouxcity.com. For more information about the Home Base Iowa initiative, visit www.homebaseiowa.org.

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