EICC Employee Training and Professional Development Newsletter | July 2026
Stronger businesses. Stronger communities.
At EICC, we’ve helped businesses train and develop their employees for decades. Our high-quality training enhances skills, boosts productivity, and develops strong leaders.
Our expert-led courses, workshops, and certifications can be designed to meet the unique needs of your organization, helping your team stay competitive and excel in today’s fast-paced workplace. Whatever your goals, we have the training solutions to help your business thrive.
Professional Development
Gain a competitive edge in the workplace.
Customized Options
Create a program that meets your team’s goals.
Economic Workforce Development Funds may be available to help cover your company’s training needs:
1. Iowa Industrial New Jobs Training Program (260E)
Supports businesses that are creating new jobs or relocating to Iowa.
2. Iowa Jobs Training Program (260F)
Provides state-funded forgivable loans or grants to Iowa businesses for the training and development of their existing employees.
3. Workforce Training & Economic Development (WTED) Fund
Supports Iowa employers in training and upskilling workers in industries like manufacturing, IT, renewable energy, and healthcare. Limited funding may also be available for nonprofits and municipalities.
To learn more, scan the QR code or visit eicc.edu/trainingfunds
Your workforce. Your success. Our mission.
When we asked employers what they needed most, the answer wasn’t surprising: skilled workers, effective training, and opportunities for employees to continue growing throughout their careers.
The conversations we had at the business forum continue to shape our work at EICC. Whether we’re expanding customized training, strengthening existing programs, or exploring new opportunities, our focus remains the same: helping employers build the talent they need while creating pathways that lead to career advancement.
You’ll see that commitment reflected throughout this issue. From the Instructor Showcase, where employers connected with the professionals delivering our workforce training, to the feature on Collis LLC, where employees are gaining new skills and advancing into technical roles. These stories highlight what’s possible when education and industry work together.
We’re also encouraged by new opportunities on the horizon, including Workforce Pell, which will make short-term training accessible to more people and give employers a broader pool of skilled talent.
Workplace safety remains an important priority for employers across every industry. That’s why we’re looking forward to hosting our annual Safety Conference this September, bringing together professionals, business leaders, and industry experts to share practical strategies for creating safer, stronger workplaces.
Thank you for your continued partnership and the trust you place in EICC. Your feedback helps guide our work and ensures we’re focused on what matters most to the businesses and communities we serve.
Sincerely,
Ashlee Spannagel Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development, Eastern Iowa Community Colleges
Featured Upcoming Classes, July – Sept. 2026
Behind the Training
EICC’s
Experts Drive Workforce Development
On a bright morning this spring, local business leaders gathered to find out who’s behind some of EICC’s most in-demand workforce training programs.
What they discovered was something more than instructors with impressive résumés or polished presentations. They met professionals who have led teams through change, managed high-pressure operations, navigated workplace conflict, and built careers in the very industries they now teach.
At the recent EICC Instructor Showcase, the people, expertise, and real world experience behind the college’s workforce and continuing education division was on full display.
The showcase gave employers across Eastern Iowa and the Quad Cities an opportunity to connect directly with instructors who help organizations strengthen leadership, improve communication, enhance workplace safety, and develop employees at every level.
“It can be hard to choose an instructor without seeing them teach,” said Tyné Rieck, EICC’s CE program manager. “This event lets instructors showcase their expertise, communication skills, and ability to deliver impactful sessions, drawing on real industry experience and understanding of the challenges our business partners face.”
Throughout the morning, business leaders participated in interactive sessions focused on practical workplace challenges and professional development strategies that organizations can apply immediately.
Jess Fah energized attendees with a session on workplace communication and
the hidden costs of unclear expectations, exploring how communication breakdowns can impact accountability, morale, productivity, and retention.
“Most workplace frustrations start with communication,” Fah said. “When leaders communicate clearly and employees understand expectations, organizations operate more e ectively and teams perform better.”
Manufacturing and industrial employers connected with Clayton Spinler, whose hands-on approach to safety and maintenance training focuses on OSHA compliance, Lockout/Tagout procedures, and industrial maintenance fundamentals.
“Training works best when employees can immediately connect it to their daily responsibilities,” Spinler said. “The goal is to make safety and maintenance practical, understandable, and easy to apply on the job.”
Leadership development remained a key focus throughout the showcase. Brenda Meeker shared strategies for leading teams through organizational change, while Paulette Milewski explored how organizations can address workplace conflict without sacrificing collaboration and productivity.
“Conflict doesn’t have to be disruptive,” Milewski said.
“When leaders know how to navigate di cult conversations e ectively, it creates stronger teams and healthier workplace culture.”
Brenda Meeker discussed how to navigate the relentless pace of change.
“We may not have a choice about if a change occurs, but we can choose how we react to it,” Meeker said. “Many times, just being aware of the emotional aspects of change help make it seem a lot less scary.”
For employers in attendance, the showcase reinforced the value of workforce training led by professionals who understand today’s business realities firsthand.
“At EICC, we don’t just o er training programs, we build partnerships with employers,” said Karri Frank, EICC’s dean of continuing education. “Businesses need training that is practical, engaging, and immediately useful. Our instructors understand those expectations because they’ve worked in these environments themselves.”
The instructors showcased support a range of customized workforce training, including leadership development, manufacturing management, OSHA and safety training, communication, industrial maintenance, emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, and executive leadership development.
For employers who were unable to attend, EICC plans to host additional events in the future to connect businesses with e ective training solutions.
Learn more about EICC’s workforce and continuing education programs at eicc.edu/workforce.
Inside Collis, the work is changing.
And so are the people doing it.
The robot is bigger than the one it’s replacing. Wires run panel to panel. Diagrams map every connection. One mistake, and the system stops.
Issiaha Stickell is in the middle of it, working through the wiring, figuring it out piece by piece.
“I’ve been working on that,” Stickell said. “Getting the wiring diagram for it. It’s all interconnected with PLCs.”
Fifteen years ago, he was on the production floor. Now, he’s a programmable logic controller (PLC) electrician, helping bring new robotic systems online at Collis LLC in Clinton, Iowa.
He worked his way up to it.
“I want to learn as much as I can,” Stickell said. “Anything that’ll make the job easier.”
That mindset is what Collis is building around. When Plant Manager James Isaacson stepped into his role, the challenge was clear.
“We developed an internal cross-training matrix to analyze nearly every employee and identify skill gaps,” Isaacson said.
“We quickly realized we didn’t have the internal resources to train adequately for some of these functions.”
The equipment was advanced. The expectations were high. But the internal structure to build those skills wasn’t there.
Robotics was one of the first pressure points. Programming errors. Crashes. Downtime slowed production and created frustration across teams.
“We were seeing these different things, and the logic that wasn’t being written properly,” Isaacson said.
The work was there. The people were there. The training was not. So, Collis looked outside its walls and found a partner in EICC. What started with robotics training quickly expanded to electrical systems, hydraulics, troubleshooting and leadership development.
“I think the most advantageous thing for us was flexibility,” Isaacson said. “We were able to send our employees to EICC’s facilities for a couple of hours a day if needed, or all day. The proximity was a nice addition as well.”
The training met employees where they were. Close to the plant. Built around schedules. Directly tied to the work happening on the floor. For Stickell, that connection was immediate.
“The skills that I’m learning here at EICC are directly being utilized in the workplace,” he said.
He saw it most clearly in the areas he didn’t know yet.
“The fluid power systems course was really helpful for me because I didn’t actually know a whole lot about hydraulics or compressed air,” he said. “I’ve used it a lot since I went through it, and I think it’s definitely helped me get through troubleshooting issues quicker.”
Isaacson sees that difference across the operation.
“They’re able to get a machine back online in half the time of what it used to take them,” he said.
That kind of improvement changes more than production numbers. It changes how a team works.
“It just expands their skill sets,” Isaacson said. “They get more confident and comfortable around some of the equipment and machinery that they’re working on.”
For him, that is the point.
“I’m a huge proponent of taking those people that want to grow and helping them grow,” he said.
Instead of looking outside for every new skill, Collis is investing in the people already there. Building knowledge. Creating pathways. Giving employees the chance to move into more technical and leadership roles. That opportunity matters.
“There’s a ton of employees here that have never had that opportunity to really excel and try to grow their own personal knowledge,” Isaacson said.
ABOUT COLLIS LLC
Collis LLC is a tier-one manufacturer based in Clinton, Iowa, producing components for the small appliance industry. The company specializes in refrigeration shelving and assemblies used in freezers, refrigerators and under-counter units.
With roots dating back to the early 1900s, Collis has grown into a key regional manufacturer, combining advanced automation with a skilled workforce to meet modern production demands.
For some, stepping into a classroom again was not easy. But the results speak for themselves. More than 30 Collis employees have now participated in customized training through EICC, building skills across robotics, electrical systems, safety, and leadership. And for employees like Stickell, it’s opening doors. “The courses I’m taking here at EICC are going to potentially help me move further into the company,” he said.
He is already thinking about what comes next. With continued training, there is a path toward becoming a lead PLC electrician. More responsibility. More ownership of the systems he now helps build and maintain. That kind of growth does not happen by accident.
It takes access. It takes partnership. And it takes a willingness to invest in people before they need to be ready.
At Collis, that work is already underway. The machines are evolving. The systems are growing more complex. And right alongside them, so are the people.
Ready to invest in your team?
Like Collis, businesses across the region are working with EICC to build skills, close gaps, and prepare for what’s next. Training is flexible, customized, and designed around your operation.
Explore what’s possible at eicc.edu/training.
Tell us a little about yourself.
Your Partner in Workforce Training:
Clayton Spinler, EICC Industrial & Manufacturing Technology Training Instructor
I’m married and have two kids, fiveand six-years old. I’ve worked in industry as a maintenance technician repairing cranes, lasers, CNC, and steel roll mills. What inspired you to get into your field?
I was always fixing everything: my home, computers, cars, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems. I thought industrial maintenance was a good field where I could expand. Fixing and troubleshooting problems is something I gravitate toward.
What do you enjoy most about training?
What I enjoy most is the interaction with the class. I’ve sat through enough dry lectures to be glad that I don’t have to teach that way. I enjoy seeing the moment when the concepts we’re working on click with students and everything starts to make sense. What message would you like to share with businesses?
When I was working in industry as an employee, I knew what training I needed
to become better at my job. Ask your employees what kind of training they would like so they can help your business succeed.
What safety training does EICC have in the works?
One project I am currently working on is a hands-on Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) training station. LOTO refers to the process of isolating and locking energy sources before equipment is serviced, helping protect workers from injuries caused by unexpected startup or the release of stored energy. Since LOTO violations are among the most common OSHA citations in manufacturing, it is a critical skill for workers to learn and practice.
Can you share a recent success story?
I had a student enroll in an Introduction to CNC class after he was laid off by a large local employer. I recently ran into him at the farmer’s market and he is now employed and doing really well. It’s so rewarding to see our students succeed.
Workforce Pell Creates New Opportunities for Employers and Students
Iowa’s workforce pipeline will get a boost through Workforce Pell. Enacted by the federal governement, it will expand Pell grant eligibility to include high-quality, short-term workforce training programs, making it easier for individuals to gain job-ready skills in weeks rather than years.
EICC plans to seek approval for several non-credit programs, including CDL A, Residential HVAC Installation, Entry-Level CNC Technician, and Manufacturing Maintenance Technician. These programs prepare students for careers in industries facing ongoing talent shortages.
For students, Workforce Pell provides a more affordable pathway to career advancement. Eligible learners may be able to use federal Pell Grant funding to earn industry-recognized credentials, quickly enter the workforce, and continue building toward additional certificates or degrees.
For employers, Workforce Pell leads to a larger pool of trained candidates. By reducing financial barriers to workforce training, more individuals can enter high-demand fields and support employers’ hiring and retention needs.
Workforce Pell aligns education, workforce development, and employer needs in a way that benefits the entire region. By making short-term training more accessible, EICC can help build a stronger talent pipeline for local businesses while opening doors to meaningful careers for more students.
1. We’ll start with a conversation to understand your organization’s needs.
EICC, we know one size doesn’t fit all. That’s why we offer a wide range of training solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of your organization. Whether you’re looking to enhance employee skills or get the most value from your training investment, we’ve got you covered. Many of our public courses have been shaped by the needs of businesses like yours. Contact us today to learn how we can support your team’s growth. Give us a call to learn how we can help your business. ⊲ Clinton: 563-244-7141 ⊲ Muscatine: 563-288-6012
2. Next, we’ll create a training plan that outlines goals, course content, hours, and a timeline.
3. Finally, we’ll deliver the training at one of our campuses or a location that works best for you.
