A company that helps businesses find employees is trying to recruit native Iowans, who moved away, back to the state. Manpower spokesperson Kathy Joblinske says the program is designed to specifically help companies that are having a hard time filling certain openings. “We created this Welcome Home to Iowa program, which really focuses on recruiting talent back to the state,” Joblinske said. “We’re letting people know there are amazing jobs here in Iowa at all different levels.” Iowa has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the U.S. and more Baby Boomers will be retiring soon.

“That means there are fewer workers that are going to be in that working age…as a matter of fact, we have 18,000 people leaving the working age in the state of Iowa by 2013. That’s a very alarming number,” Joblinske said. Manpower launched the Welcome Home to Iowa program last November – recruiting former Iowans back to the state through a combination of social media and word of mouth. Joblinske says many Iowa natives are interested in moving back, but they don’t believe the job they’re looking for will be available.

“So, our job is to match them up with the employers that have those needs as well as provide support to that candidate in moving back,” Joblinske said. Manpower agencies across the state have partnered with chambers of commerce and businesses in the recruitment effort. Joblinske says engineers and skill trades people are in especially high demand in Iowa.

LINK: http://us.manpower.com/us/en/about-manpower/welcome-home-iowa.jsp

(Pat Curtis/Radio Iowa)