More than 500 Iowans from business and industry, higher education, Kindergarten through 12th grade schools, non-profit organizations, state and local government as well as students gathered to share best practices and learn more about available resources at the Fast-Track Iowa’s Future Conference on Wednesday. The Iowa Events Center in Des Moines was packed with these individuals who were all coming together to build partnerships that will inspire and prepare students for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) careers across the state. Gov. Kim Reynolds attended as well, saying that Future Ready is about meeting Iowa’s need for matching the talent of our youth with high-demand business sectors that drive Iowa’s economy. “This is what this conference is about,” Reynolds says, “to connect education systems with the recipients they serve—employers—so that graduates are job-ready for the exciting, meaningful, strong wage occupations that await right here in the local communities.”
