Central Iowa Works Funding Collaborative has begun using LinkedIn as a tool to help jobseekers connect with employers.

Developing the social media-based initiative is one of several ways the collaborative will use a two-year, $600,000 grant to expand its efforts to train workers in key industry sectors.

Announced last week by the National Fund for Workforce Solutions, the grant was matched with funds from United Way of Central Iowa, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, Des Moines Area Community College and other organizations and aligned grants to provide a total of $1.5 million for the project.

Established three years ago to replace the scandal-ridden Central Iowa Employment and Training Consortium (CIETC), Central Iowa Works has developed job-training and career-support programs in partnership with employers in three key sectors: health care, energy and financial services. Central Iowa Works was initially funded by a three-year, $450,000 grant that ended in September.

Based on its success in its initial three years, the organization was invited to apply for the competitive grant, said Jane Fogg, director of financial stability for United Way. With the new funding, Central Iowa Works will be able to build on the existing workforce partnerships and also establish an advanced manufacturing partnership.

“The goal here is to improve our delivery system for how we prepare adults for the work force in Central Iowa,” Fogg said. “We’re paying attention to those who might be under-educated or might need retraining. We really want to pay attention to the folks that want to work but who need new skills.”

Using a members-only group established on LinkedIn, the Collaborative has begun providing clients of the health-care workforce partnership with connections to employers, Fogg said, with plans to expand the tool to the other industry partnerships.

“It’s a labor exchange,” she said. “We think that bringing pre-screened people to the employers saves them time and money, and increases the likelihood of a quick hire. And it’s good for jobseekers, because at least they know what skills are required.”