The Initiative will have job seekers take Iowa’s National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) test to see what their skills are to help them find better matches with open positions at businesses. Currently, 632 employers have signed up for the service, according to Skilled Iowa’s website.

People looking for jobs and collecting unemployment compensation can also sign up for internships to improve their skills through the program. Job seekers will be able to work 24 hours a week for eight weeks while collecting jobless benefits.

Branstad said by using the NCRC, employers will be able to find the workers they need and interns will be able to improve their skills while looking for a full-time job.

“As a company that hires employees with very specific skill sets, we understand and appreciate the value that will be achieved by the state’s support for and promotion of the testing,” said Maureen Sammon, chief administrative officer of MidAmerican Energy Co.