Get Involved
Engage with Students
Much of your future workforce is in a classroom right now. Introducing your company to students in a K-12 setting is a proactive workforce strategy that builds awareness, shapes perceptions, and expands your long-term hiring pipeline.
Key benefits include:
- Increases early awareness and interest in career pathways
- Expands and diversifies the future talent pool
- Strengthens employer brand and community presence
- Aligns student skills with industry needs
- Reduces long-term recruiting and turnover costs
ABI engages at most levels of the K-12 experience, and we invite our members to join us in these student engagements.
Crystals of Innovation
Leveraging gamified (analog) learning, students in grades 4-9 discover their strengths while encountering tasks that incorporate core manufacturing skills. The activities promote teamwork, communication, and problem-solving while introducing students to key concepts like additive manufacturing, aerospace engineering, electromechanical components, robotics, and quality control.
Bring this activity to a classroom in your community! Submit the interest form below to start the process.
I am a Teacher or Administrator
I am a Business Representative
Interested in bringing Crystals of Innovation to your classroom or business?
View the Educator Flyer or Manufacturer Flyer to learn more.
Work-Based Learning
Learning by doing — in an actual workplace or through real industry-connected projects allows students to gain hands-on skills and explore careers. It also allows employers to gain early access to future employees, helping ensure skill alignment and cultural fit before making full-time hiring decisions.
ABI is proud to partner with iJAG (Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates) and Kuder through our iJAG Connect program. We invite businesses to engage in a short classroom presentation, host a tour, and any number of other opportunities with local students, and to share those opportunities with students via the iJAG Connect portal.
Are you new to work-based learning? The iJAG Connect team is here to help you outline your classroom presentation, bring students to your workplace for a tour or job shadow, or match interested and prepared students with your internship and apprenticeship opportunities.
Be a part of the Elevate Iowa Manufacturing Tour
Elevate Iowa Manufacturing Tour is a statewide initiative designed to showcase the exciting career opportunities available in advanced manufacturing across Iowa. Learn more about how to get involved here. Elevate Iowa Manufacturing Tour | Iowa Association of Business and Industry
Host a "Manufacturing Day" Event!
National Manufacturing Day will take place on October 2nd, 2026. Learn how you can host an event or attend one in your area!
Join your statewide association!
Make your voice count by becoming a Voice in Iowa. The Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) has been the voice of Iowa business since 1903. Its mission is to provide a strong, unified voice to business and industry on issues affecting Iowa employers. ABI is comprised of member companies representing all industries and sizes in Iowa’s 99 counties. ABI members employ more than 330,000 Iowans.
Small or large, urban or rural, each member business adds its own particular resources and expertise to the growing strength of the Iowa business community; and, in turn, each receives the many benefits ABI membership provides. Learn more about the benefits of joining ABI.
Work with your local community colleges.
Iowa’s 15 community colleges are a strong pipeline for emerging talent and rely on partnerships with advanced manufacturing employers like you. Strengthening these connections helps ensure students gain the skills your industry needs while creating direct pathways into your workforce.
Consider engaging by:
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with faculty and administrators
- Offering Earn-and-Learn or work-based learning opportunities
- Hosting plant tours to showcase modern manufacturing careers
- Volunteering time, expertise, or resources
- Conducting mock interviews to prepare students for employment
- Donating equipment to support hands-on training
- Providing upskilling or customized training for your current workforce
