As Iowa enters the fourth quarter of 2024, the state’s unemployment rate remains near a record low and more than a point below that national average, but the size of Iowa’s workforce has experienced a decline over the last year. Employers in ag manufacturing have made layoffs, despite an overall growing economy and calming inflation. As post-pandemic norms begin to solidify, many employees are returning to offices across the state in more flexible, hybrid workplaces. In our Jobs Outlook, the Business Record was joined by a panel of business leaders who helped us look at what the job market in 2025 might bring. Panelists included:

• Kathy Anderson, division administrator, business engagement, Iowa Workforce Development
• Samantha Groark, executive director, Central Iowa Building & Construction Trades Council
• Amner Martinez, founder and CEO, Infinite Resources
• Joyce McDanel, vice president of human resources, UnityPoint Health
• Melissa Ness, CEO and president, Connectify HR
• Tom Root, associate professor, Drake University

At this event, we also recognized the winner of our Dentons Davis Brown HR Professional of the Year award, Jeff Vogts, vice president of human resources, talent development and business excellence at Grinnell Mutual.