Employer Resources
CB Chamber's Employer Resources
UNbelievable Workplaces - CB
UNbelievable Workplaces is a program developed and managed by the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce. The program is designed to help businesses track employee satisfaction and keep their thumb on the culture of their workplace. Businesses use this program to obtain insight from their associates to create a culture that keeps their productive associates and allows them to recruit new associates. Awarded businesses receive public recognition through the CB Chamber, the public UNbelievable Workplace Celebration, an award, window decals, and they receive a media kit to help them continue to share their awarded status.
2023's program registration will open in December of 2023. To learn more please visit our UNbelievable Workplaces website or email alicia@councilbluffsiowa.com.
Talent Survey
Our talent survey is open. We are asking our members, small and large to participate. Your information will remain confidential but will help us collect market workforce data. We will use the data to create programs to help recruit and retain a vibrant workforce. If you have questions, please reach out to our workforce development director, Alicia Frieze.
COUNCIL BLUFFS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
JOB BOARD
Posting all of your available jobs to our board broadens your reach and is another benefit of being a member. Your position will also push to our Facebook page. We have a robust subscription of residents that follow our Facebook feed. As well as a job seeker subscription where they will receive a weekly email of all positions published on our board.
IMPACT CB - PROGRAM
Another way to get more from your membership. When you become a member of the chamber your entire team can participate in our programs including Impact CB. Impact CB is a young professionals group of the chamber and offers our members professional development, networking, volunteer, and civic engagement opportunities. Getting your young workers invested in the community shows your investment in their development encouraging longer employment and a more engaged associate.
COUNCIL BLUFFS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
YOUTH EMPLOYER
Open up new talent pipelines by registering your business as a youth employer. You will be listed on the site under the correct age category. Registering as a youth employer also makes you a GrowCB Business Member.
Resource Templates
It is important to know why your associates are leaving so that you know how to improve retention. Please feel free to use this survey or copy portions of it for your own use.
Since the pandemic, many of our workers are now remote. Checking in with them is critical to their performance and retention. Please feel free to use this survey or copy portions of it for your own use.
More than ever focusing on your organization's DE&I efforts and results are important to providing a safe workplace where your associates feel heard, valued, and respected. Please feel free to use this survey or copy portions of it for your own use.
Every Monday, a Job Seeker Newsletter is sent to subscribers. In the newsletter are a link to the job board, job resources, education opportunities, and member job flyers. You may submit a flyer to be included. Please send it by the prior Friday. Ensure that it is in .png or .jpg format, with an application website link and duration that you want it to run.
Every Monday, a Job Seeker Newsletter is sent to subscribers. In the newsletter are a link to the job board, job resources, education opportunities, and member job flyers. You may submit an education or upskilling opportunity to be included. Please send it by the prior Friday. Ensure that any images/flyers are in .png or .jpg format, with a website link to learn more or register and the duration you want the program to run.
Workforce Development Programs
Subscribe to Workforce Notifications
You will receive specific workforce information on new programs and event inviations. * Your company must be a CB Chamber member.
Workforce Guidelines & Tools
Reach More Talent - FREE
with YouScience
The Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce has purchased new aptitude software designed to help participants map their future career paths. A path that can lead directly to your business, if you register your business on the platform for free. Please read on to find more details.
How does it work?
Local employers enter company information and indicate the skills desired from potential employees. Using a proprietary algorithm that matches each individual's talents and skills, YouScience identifies individuals that are well suited to an employer’s needs. Qualified candidates are aligned to suitable employment opportunities in the Employer Connection Portal.
What is YouScience and why does it matter to local businesses?
YouScience is an aptitude-based career guidance tool being used by the chamber to help our local talent identify best-fit careers.
In addition, our local school systems are starting to use the platform to get students certified skills learned in Career and Technical courses that prepare them for your workforce! (Your future talent pipeline.)
The Employer Connection Platform connects companies to local talent, and as an engaged employer the benefits to your organization will include:
• Influencing talent by promoting your career opportunities.
• Building a better prepared and more diverse talent pipeline.
• Identifying specific skills necessary for needed positions within your organization.
• Maybe the best part… It is FREE! As an early mover, there is no cost to get your brand in front of talent!
Other Employer Resources
Recently, NRG Media conducted an employment survey to better understand our current job environment. The survey is complete, and we would like to share the survey results.
Knowing the cost of your business's turnover is critical. Express Employment's Turnover Calculator will help you assess the cost of each position at your business. Use this information when deciding what retention action items will have your best ROI and save your business money.
IWCC - Economic and Workforce Development division has training programs and grant opportunities for Iowa businesses expanding their workforce, assisting their workforce, or relocating in Council Bluffs. Direct contact with their department's representatives are below.
VISIT IWCC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WEBPAGE
Matt Mancuso
Ph: (712) 325-3375
E-mail: mmancuso@iwcc.edu
IOWA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY - HIGH-QUALITY JOBS
Contact them to learn about the Iowa Economic Development Authority's - High-Quality Jobs (HQJ) program provides qualifying businesses assistance to offset some of the costs incurred to locate, expand or modernize an Iowa facility. This flexible program includes loans, forgivable loans, tax credits, exemptions, and/or refunds. The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) offers this program to promote growth in businesses, which employ Iowans in jobs defined as high-quality by state statute.
- Actual award amounts based on the level of need; quality of the jobs; the percentage of created or retained jobs defined as high-quality; and the project’s economic impact
- Local property tax exemption of up to 100% of the value added to the property to a period not to exceed 20 years may be available
- Investment tax credit equal to a percentage of qualifying investment
- amortized over 5 years, which offsets Iowa income taxes owed
- tax credit earned when the corresponding asset is placed in service
- credit can be carried forward for up to 7 additional years or until depleted, whichever occurs first
- Refund of state sales, service, or use taxes paid to contractors or subcontractors during construction
- Refund of sales and use taxes paid on racks, shelving, and conveyor equipment for distribution projects
- State's refundable research activities credit may be increased while participating in the program
Program details can also be found in the adjacent tabs.
The INJTP provides training dollars from certificates sold by Iowa’s community colleges. The certificates are paid for by the diversion of the new employees’ payroll withholding tax.
What training costs are eligible?
- Company and workforce assessment services and testing
- Adult basic education and workplace literacy
- In-plant customized training
- Credit instructional courses
- Vendor training
- On-the-job training
- Contracted or professional services
How does a business qualify?
- Businesses must be new or expanding.
- Businesses engaged in manufacturing, processing or assembling products, or conducting research and development are eligible.
- Service businesses must be engaged in interstate commerce to be eligible.
Iowa Jobs Training Program provides forgivable loans to Iowa businesses to train existing workers. The purpose of the program is to help Iowa businesses become more competitive within their industries by providing them with the resources to maximize the skills and productivity of their workers.
What jobs are eligible?
- Program services are available to employees who are currently employed by the business, and for whom the business pays withholding tax.
- Training equipment, materials, and supplies.
- College, company, or contracted training provider.
- Training-related travel.
How does a business qualify?
- Businesses engaged in manufacturing, processing, warehousing, wholesaling, or conducting research and development.
- Businesses in service industries must serve customers outside of Iowa.
CREATE OPPORTUNITY WITH BUENA VISTA UNIVERSITY'S STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
BVU.EDU/STRATEGIC-PARTNERSHIPS
Collaborate with BVU and offer education benefits to complement your current employee's benefits package at no cost to your organization.
Benefits of your BVU Partnership:
- Receive up to 30 percent tuition discount for undergraduate online programs
- Receive up to 30 percent tuition discount on BVU's online Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership graduate program
- Receive up to $2,000 annually for BVU undergraduate programs on our Storm Lake campus
Join over 100 organizations that have partnered with BVU to help employees and their families achieve their educational goals!
For more information contact
Laura Todd, Director of Strategic Partnerships | 712.749.2638 | toddl@bvu.edu
The Iowa Western SBDC is one of 15 regional business assistance centers statewide and serves small business needs in Pottawattamie, Shelby, Harrison, Page, Mills, Cass, and Fremont counties. Along with free one-on-one business counseling, the center offers other practical business services including market research services and a variety of business education classes. Please refer to their website for available workshops, resources, or to request a consultation.
Home Base Iowa is a free program for veterans to get assistance with their resumes, publish them online, and help them connect with hiring employers. Home Base Iowa business partners can see veteran resumes and businesses who are seeking candidates that match the veterans' skillset and job requirements will receive an email notification about the veterans' resumes. Employers may also search for resumes online.
IEDA has a number of programs available if you're looking to add high-quality jobs, provide job training, or retain job opportunities in Iowa. Refer to the link below to be redirected to their grow webpage to view all of their available resources.
Iowa's funding opportunity search and grant management system is a great way to continue to help your business grow and thrive. Continue to check back regularly for new grant opportunities of many areas of service and size. Currently, there are many COVID response grants that continue to be made available. These grants have a short turnaround time, so checking the site weekly is recommended. To get registered and monitor grant opportunities, please click on the link below.
Employers are critical in developing our workforce to meet key education and training requirements by 2025. Whether it is through developing apprenticeship programs or providing assistance through the Employer Innovation Fund, our Future Ready Iowa Partners have a significant impact on Iowa's workforce. To view their resources, please click on the link below.
EARN + LEARN
When it comes to businesses, there's one challenge that undoubtedly rises to the top: a significant talent shortage and skills gap that hinders companies' efforts to expand, innovate, and thrive. That's where Registered Apprenticeship comes in! With this program, you can recruit, train, and retain workers to build a workforce that meets your needs.
Best of all, you'll receive support to help build your program to ensure it meets industry standards - in fields that include everything from construction and healthcare to IT, advanced manufacturing and more. And offering Registered Apprenticeship opportunities is one way Iowa will meet its Future Ready Iowa goal to have 70% of its workforce with education or training beyond high school by 2025.
Please watch this short video or visit the links below.