We believe in a vibrant community with a workforce ready for a changing world, and we support the next generation as they navigate and connect to our shared future.

WLC connects students and educators from Grant Wood AEA Area X school districts in Cedar, Benton, Iowa, Jones, Linn, Johnson and Washington counties in east central Iowa looking for career information with area business professionals who are interested in preparing our region's future employees.

Students become more prepared for the local job market, and businesses have the opportunity to mold potential employees, creating a hands-on way for students to explore careers while still in high school.

But, that’s not all. Local job experience is key to keeping our best and brightest here, in Iowa. And the on-the-job learning students receive simply cannot be recreated in a classroom.

WLC was founded in 1998 as a not-for-profit partnership of Kirkwood Community College and Grant Wood Area Education Agency serving K-12 students in seven counties. In July 2011, WLC became a department of Kirkwood Community College. Gifts to support WLC are accepted by the Kirkwood Foundation . WLC coordinates career speakers, career fairs, worksite tours, job shadows, internships, and teacher professional development to help districts meet Iowa Department of Education mandates for Career Development and help area students become better informed in their post-secondary education and career decisions.

WLC partners with Kirkwood Community College’s College Credit In High School program to provide quality learning opportunities through Career Academies.

http://www.kirkwood.edu/wlc