The Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance has hired Mikayla Yaley as Henry County’s new Workforce Development Specialist, marking the county’s expansion into a regional workforce partnership across Southeast Iowa.
The collaboration brings together the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance, Greater Burlington Partnership and Lee County Economic Development Group.
Yaley will implement workforce priorities identified through the Chamber Alliance’s recent capital campaign. Her work will include strengthening partnerships between businesses and schools, supporting local employers and creating opportunities to attract, develop and retain workers.
She will also lead the Henry County Leadership program and serve on the Regional Workforce Team alongside representatives from Des Moines and Lee counties.
The regional partnership was created to address workforce challenges through shared resources, collaboration and new talent-development strategies.
Regional Director of Workforce Innovation Teli Van Rycke says workforce challenges do not stop at county lines, and the partnership will allow the participating organizations to share best practices and develop stronger solutions for employers, educators and job seekers.
Chamber Alliance Executive Vice President Rachel Lindeen says Yaley’s experience, relationships and knowledge of Henry County will be an asset as the organization expands its workforce development efforts.