Western Iowa Tech Community College (WITCC) has been awarded a $274,414 subaward through Iowa STRONG (Systems, Training, and Resources for Opportunity, Navigation, and Growth), a statewide workforce development initiative funded through a $10.8 million grant awarded to an Iowa consortium led by Hawkeye Community College. The 4-year initiative funded by the Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration brings together Iowa’s 15 community colleges, the Iowa Department of Education, and Iowa Workforce Development to expand short-term, employer-aligned training programs eligible for Workforce Pell funding. WITCC’s subaward will support the development and implementation of four noncredit pre-apprenticeship pathways: HVAC, Electrician, Plumbing, and Industrial Maintenance. These programs will expand access to training in high-demand skilled trades, strengthen connections between education and workforce needs, and create pathways to industry-recognized credentials and employment. Through its participation, WITCC will contribute to the statewide goal of developing or enhancing 59 workforce programs and serving approximately 2,362 participants, while expanding opportunities for students and employers in the College’s service area.