Frequently Asked Questions

What is YPIowa? (Note: YP = Young Professional)

YPIowa is a statewide Young Professional Organization with a mission to connect and engage young professionals in Iowa to take responsibility for the growth of their community and state.

YPIowa is one of only a handful of statewide Young Professional Organizations in the U.S.

YPIowa assists individuals, community/civic and businesses organizations in their efforts to attract, retain and engage young talent in the state of Iowa.

YPIowa is a 501(c)(3) organization affiliated with the Association of Business and Industry in an effort to fulfill its mission. The YPIowa Board of Directors is made up of young leaders from around the state.

YP Iowa currently has identified more than 100 local YP Organizations reaching more than 10,000 individuals that rely on YPIowa resources, communications and connections.

What is the purpose of the Ambassador Program?

The primary program objectives are to engage volunteers throughout Iowa help to connect young talent seeking to move or stay in Iowa with local job resources and networking opportunities. This program provides local connections to aid YP job seekers in their efforts to find employment in Iowa.

What does YPIowa hope to achieve and what benefits will be recognized at the local at statewide levels?

YPIowa hopes to create a reliable network of Regional Advisors and Ambassadors that can connect YPs with job search resources and networking opportunities throughout the state.

This network can act as a link between local and regional or statewide efforts and can help close gaps in communication that act as barriers for both YPs and employers.

Ultimately, YPIowa will be a resource to ensure that YPs interested in staying or moving to the state are finding job opportunities . YPIowa can help employers get connected to young qualified job candidates .

This program will enable employers to identify young qualified candidates to help build and maintain workforces. It is a resource to help facilitate connections between YPs and employers throughout the state.

Long term goals for any workforce development initiative include community and economic growth. Growth can mean prosperity due to increased tax base (purchase of residential homes), increased enrollment in schools (children of YPs staying in or moving to the community), and increased consumption of goods and services etc.

Why did YPIowa start the Ambassador Program?

The program was created in order to address the growing workforce needs of the state of Iowa and align efforts with the mission to attract and retain young professionals to and within the state.

YPIowa recognizes that in order to keep young talent in the state and encourage new young talent to move to Iowa, there must be career opportunities for them. They must have a means to enjoy the high quality of life that Iowa can offer.

There are current gaps or perceived gaps in career offerings for YPs throughout the state. Often times, YPs leave the state to pursue higher paying jobs in other more metropolitan communities. YPs also have trouble finding job opportunities when they graduate college or are attempting to move into the state. The goal of this program is to close those gaps and be a facilitator between YPs and opportunities they are seeking.

How will this program interface with other workforce development initiatives throughout the state and at the local level?

YPIowa does not wish to reinvent the wheel. Many communities throughout Iowa have identified the need to invest in workforce development issues. The Ambassador Program will compliment these existing initiatives and will work to offer support.

Organizations interested in working with YPIowa should contact Wade Den Hartog at (515) 235-0569 or visit us at www.ypiowa.com

This program is not designed to be another job posting board. However, YPIowa would like to compliment and utilize those and other resources that already exist.

The program is designed to help facilitate networking activities for YP job seekers and to bring existing resources to their attention.

What is the program structure? How will communication work?

YPs interested in moving to or staying in the state of Iowa can get connected to the Ambassador Program by emailing or calling contacts at YPIowa via Web portals and social networking sites. These candidates will be directed to the Regional Advisors within their area of interest. The Regional Advisors will connect YP candidates with local Ambassadors who will facilitate networking opportunities and provide resources to the candidates to assist them in finding career opportunities in the community.

YPs may also get connected locally with Ambassadors, in which case the Ambassadors will communicate information about candidates to Regional Advisors while proceeding with local efforts.

Regardless of how the communication flows, it will be the responsibility of Regional Advisors and ultimately the local Ambassadors to connect YPs with opportunities.

What tools will YPIowa use to fulfill the program objectives?

Email, Excel spreadsheets or other data management software will be used to keep track of candidate information, interests and follow up efforts of local Ambassadors.

Web pages will be designed via YPIowa (www.ypiowa.com) to help link Intranet visitors to the program and to Regional Advisors.

Facebook, LinkedIn and other social networking tools can also act as links between candidates and Regional Advisors and/or Ambassadors

What key stakeholders does YPIowa want to work with on a statewide and local level?

Key stakeholders include, statewide and local government initiatives/commissions, statewide workforce programs such as the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, Iowa Workforce Development and Iowa Department of Economic Development, local Chambers of Commerce, Universities and Colleges, Technical and Community Colleges, High Schools, Trades, Associations and Unions, Recruitment Organizations, Human Resource Organizations, Civic Organizations, Business Leaders, Local YP Groups, Military Groups, Private Industry, Employee Networking Groups etc.

Any group that has interest in the growth of Iowa’s workforce is encourages to be informed and possibly be involved in this statewide effort.

As a YP interested in volunteering to help this effort, how can I get involved?

YPs that are interested in becoming Regional Advisors or Ambassadors should contact YPIowa.

As a potential YP employer or community partner, how can my organization get involved?

Please go to www.YPIowa.com to find contact information for a regional Advisor or local Ambassador in your area. These individuals can connect you with with candidates and program information.

As a YP job seeker, how can I use this program to find opportunities in Iowa?

Contact YPIowa via the Web site listed above or you can identify a specific Regional Advisor for the area you hope to work in. The Regional Advisor will connect you with local Ambassadors that will work directly with you.