IA Iowa Workforce Dev News Archives

National Apprenticeship Week April 26–May 2, 2026

The Iowa Office of Apprenticeship (IOA) announces National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) running April 26–May 2, 2026, a nationwide celebration recognizing Registered Apprenticeship programs. The IOA is inviting all RA program sponsors to submit events via the ApprenticeshipUSA Event Submission Form and is hosting a virtual panel discussion with the Iowa Apprenticeship Council on Tuesday, April 28 at 11:00 a.m. via Zoom. Success stories from apprenticeship programs at Missouri Valley Lineman Apprenticeship, Broadlawns Medical Center, and MidAmerican Energy Company's Training Center for Excellence are also highlighted.

Iowa Unemployment Rate Holds Steady at 3.4% in February

Iowa's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.4 percent in February 2026, with 58,700 unemployed residents compared to 59,100 in January. Total nonfarm employment fell by 4,400 jobs to 1,576,400, with private education services (-1,400) and professional/business services (-1,400) reporting the largest monthly losses, while construction added 700 jobs for its fourth consecutive monthly gain.