NIACC News Release
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May 20, 2003 NIACC (and Iowa Employers) Celebrate 99% Placement Rate While many of the 600 students who just graduated from North Iowa Area Community College plan to continue their education, more than 200 of these students will be entering the workforce. Based on past experience, NIACC expects the vast majority of these graduates to find great jobs right in Iowa. According to a survey of last year's career program graduates, 99 percent are employed, with 91 percent of those in training-related positions. The study, conducted by the North Iowa Career Center on the NIACC campus, involved 241 graduates of the one- and two-year training programs in the College's Business, Health, Agriculture, and Industrial Technology divisions. The survey response rate was 93 percent. "The College serves area residents by providing training opportunities for high demand careers with attractive wages, and serves our business community by developing a well-trained workforce," said North Iowa Career Center Director Kim Caponi, noting that NIACC's placement rate has exceeded 90 percent for more than a decade. "At a time when Iowa faces population declines and predicted workforce shortages, it is important that our skilled graduates are staying in Iowa." 92 percent of last year's graduates remained in Iowa. Of 35 career programs at NIACC, 32 experienced 100 percent placement. It is not uncommon for NIACC graduates' starting salaries to compete with experienced level wages across the state and nation. Graduates of NIACC's physical therapist assistant program, for instance, averaged $15.73 per hour, which is higher than the experienced median hourly wage of $12.67 in Iowa. Some of the other top starting salaries went to NIACC students completing studies in the areas of associate degree nursing (ADN); licensed practical nursing (LPN); information systems technology; e-commerce, web design and development; law enforcement; accounting; climate control technology; mechanical design technology; and tool and die technology. The North Iowa Career Center provides services for businesses, NIACC students, NIACC alumni and many others. The Center conducts job fairs and career/college days, provides an online job bulletin and resume bank, works with students on resumes and helps to match up businesses with qualified job seekers. For more information, contact the North Iowa Career Center at 641-422-4353 or 1-888-GO NIACC, ext. 4353. ##### Ref. NICC1000 |
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