Director of Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Visits Hawkeye

Iowa Department of Economic Development Director Debi Durham and Business Development Manager Beth Balzer visited Hawkeye Community College today to discuss workforce needs and economic development. Durham’s visit to Hawkeye was her first stop in two-day visit to the Cedar Valley. A strong advocate for workforce development, Durham oversees a number of state wide training initiatives to recruit companies and workers to the state of Iowa.

At Hawkeye, Durham visited with President Linda Allen about the College’s business training programs and how the college is preparing workers. Durham toured Hawkeye’s two areas of excellence: healthcare and transportation.

Virtual Hospital/Grundy Hall – Hawkeye’s new virtual hospital is offers the latest cutting edge technology and training for healthcare professionals today. Anne Cook, Nursing Administrative Chair at Hawkeye, explains to Director Debi Durham how students use technology to practice putting in IVs.

Regional Transportation Training Center – Home to Hawkeye’s Truck Driving and Transportation Training program, the Regional Transportation Training Center also offers training for police and fire vehicles, driver’s education, motorcycles, school and metro buses, and more. Martin Kroenecke, Truck Driving and Transporation Training Instructor at Hawkeye, shows Director Debi Durham how to use the truck driving simulator.