Des Moines Area Community College announced today it will open a workforce resource center in Perry in response to the upcoming closure of the Tyson plant.

The center, located at the DMACC VanKirk Academy in Perry, will offer access to training information, funding resources and other workforce-related assistance to workers affected by the closure. It will operate every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 1-7 p.m. throughout the summer. Walk-in visitors will be welcome in addition to scheduled information sessions, covering topics from training opportunities to navigating funding options.

Workforce development organizations, including DMACC’s Workforce Training Academy, Iowa Workforce Development and Proteus, will staff the center. The center is starting to hold information sessions next week.

The upcoming sessions are:

• JumpStart CDL information session: Monday, May 13, from 4-7 p.m.
• Funding resources for welding and CNA trainings: Tuesday, May 14, from 4-7 p.m.
• Workforce Training Academy (welding and CNA): Thursday, May 16, from noon to 3 p.m.

According to a news release, DMACC VanKirk Career Academy is part of PerryNext, a group formed to help mitigate the impact of the Tyson layoffs.

To learn more about the Perry center’s resources, contact DMACC staff at perrycenter@dmacc.edu.