Rural Development Trends and Land Use Policy in Colorado: Contributors to Habitat Fragmentation?

Fragmentation of wildlife habitat is a primary driver of global species decline. A major contributor to habitat fragmentation in the United States is rural residential development. Rural development in Colorado is occurring at rates far greater than the national average. Additionally, the lack of state-level planning control coupled with a lack of comprehensive, effective planning tools at the local level creates conditions that contribute to habitat fragmentation in many rural counties. Greater oversight and involvement in land use planning is needed by the state level to assist county governments. This study provides five recommendations to strengthen Colorado state land use policy in order to reduce habitat fragmentation.

International symposium on career development and public policy: Synthesis of country papers

During the conference, country teams were asked to select and address selection of six themes: human capital, labour supply, employability skills, carer development services for workforce development, older workers or evidence based research. This synthesis of country papers covers the conceptual links between these themes. It then goes on to cover three reframed themes focusing on career development policies and services, but distinguishing three levels of such policies and services: workforce preparation, workforce adaptability and workforce re-integration.

The Rural Clinical Division: a student journey to rural medicine

Background: The University of Queensland has through an Australian Government initiative, established a Rural Clinical Division (RCD) at four regional sites in the southern and central Queensland. Over the fi rst four years of the existence of the RCD, an integrated package of innovative medical education has been developed. Method: The integrated aspects of the RCD program include: The Rural Medical Rotation: Every medical student undertakes an eight week rural rotation in Year 3. Year 3 and 4 MBBS - 100 students are currently spending one to two years in the rural school and demand is increasing. Interprofessional Education - Medical and Allied Health students attend lectures, seminars and workshops together and often share the same rural clinical placement. Rural health projects - allow students to undertake a project of benefi t to the rural community. Information Technology (IT) - the Clinical Discussion Board (CDB) and Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) demonstrate the importance of IT to medical students in the 21st century. Changing the Model of Medical Education - The Leichhardt Community Attachment Placement (LCAP), is a pilot study that resulted in the addition of three interns to the rural workforce. All aspects of the RCD are evaluated with surveys using both qualitative and quantitative free response questions, completed by all students regularly throughout the academic year. Results: Measures of impact include: Student satisfaction and quality of teaching surveys – 86-91% of students improved their clinical skills and understanding across all rotations. Academic results and progress – RCD students out-perform their urban colleagues. Intent to work in rural areas – 90% of students reported a greater interest in rural medicine. Intern numbers – rural / regional intern placements are increasing. Conclusions: The RCD proves to be a site for innovations all designed to help reach our primary goal of fostering increased recruitment of a rural medical workforce.

Iowa Workforce, Today and Tomorrow, 2004

Demographic and employment information are used by economic developers, market researchers, counselors and curriculum developers for educational institutions, academic researchers, government planners, and private businesses. Occupational information on employment and wages also provides guidance for students making their first career choices and older workers considering a change of profession. In the last decade, Iowans have grown older and more diverse. The median age (2000) stood at 36.6 years, with 38 counties recording a median age of 40 or above. In the last decade, Hispanics accounted for a third of Iowa’s population growth. The most highly educated Iowans were Asians, with 43 percent earning a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. The Iowa labor force has been growing erratically since 1980, but still reached a record 1,663,000 in 2002 before inching downward. In the next 25 years, the labor force will see dramatic changes with the impending retirement of the baby boom generation and the influx of new immigrants and younger college-educated workers. While Iowa nonfarm employment declined by 7,000 workers during 2003, it did show improvement in the second half of the year. In a prosperous year, the Iowa economy generates an average of 2,500 jobs per month. This number was negative during the recession and has been below average this year. National economic events will continue to have a strong impact on Iowa job growth. Occupations requiring higher education are among the higher-paying Iowa jobs. Computer software engineers, computer support specialists, and customer service representatives are expected to be among the faster-growing occupations. Also, the aging population will bring opportunities for workers in healthcare. Occupations requiring higher education are among the higher-paying Iowa

Turismo Rural na Ilha de Santo Antão como factor de Desenvolvimento das Aldeias de Fontaínhas, Corvo e Formiguinhas

Santo Antão é uma ilha onde a oferta turística passa pelo turismo de natureza, e pretendese criar um projecto ligado ao Turismo Rural nas aldeias de Fontaínhas, Corvo e Formiguinhas. As aldeias são rurais e enfrentam vários constrangimentos e é necessário implementar um leque de infra-estruturas como alojamento, estradas, postos de saúde, saneamento para o suporto do Turismo e optar por uma alternativa do desenvolvimento local. O objectivo é criar uma proposta de desenvolvimento do Turismo Rural que seja viável para estas aldeias. Numa segunda fase pretende-se também envolver as famílias rurais no desenvolvimento do turismo. As aldeias em questão reúnem condições naturais para o Turismo Rural, mas pretende apostar na valorização cultura, história e nos produtos locais. Having in mind that Santo Antão is an island where the offer is almost mandatory for nature tourism, it intends to develop a project connected to the Rural Tourism in the following villages of “Fontaínhas,” “Corvo” and “Formiguinhas”. These villages are rural and face various constraints, so it is necessary to implement a range of infrastructures to support Tourism and opt for an alternative that promotes local development. The aim is to create a model of development of Rural Tourism practicable to these villages. We also intend to involve local families in rural tourism development. The villages in question have natural conditions for Rural Tourism, but we want to focus on enhancing products like cultural and historical sites.

Iowa's Workforce and the Economy, 2008

A discussion of Iowa's key economic indicators as well as commentary on various apsects of the statewide econony.

Iowa Two-Year Strategic Plan for Wagner-Peyser and Workforce Investment Act Programs, July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2009

The Governor and the State Workforce Development Board consider the development of this State Plan to be an on-going process. As such, the plan is not developed in a defined time frame, or with the initiation of a few planning efforts and exercises. Instead, the vision, goals, objectives, and processes defined in the plan represent the current culmination of a variety of strategic planning efforts that incorporate the Governor’s vision and goals for the State of Iowa, the Workforce Development Board’s goals and objectives, and the departmental goals of Iowa Workforce Development.

Iowa Workforce Monthly, January 2009, Issue 1

Highlights: * If you are unemployed or underemployed and don’t have access to the local IWD office during office hours, visit an Iowa Career Access Point (ICAP).....pg. 2 * Iowa Workforce Development investigates allegations of unemployment fraud aggressively. ....pg. 2 * The goal of Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) and Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA) is to help workers....pg. 3 * Trade Adjustment Assistance has helped many people whose jobs have moved overseas. Read examples of how TAA has helped them....pg. 3 * We appreciate the feedback we get from our customers. Read a few noteworthy comments we’ve received....pg. 4

Iowa Workforce Monthly, February 2009, Issue 2

Highlights: * Whether you’re looking for a job or seeking to bolster your credentials, earning a Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) gives you proof of your job skills....pg. 2 * Michelle Frey was laid off in 2003. She worked with the WIA program to research and look into careers that would suit her....pg. 2 * Currently, over 450 participants (laborers) are involved in the Emergency Public Jobs (EMJ) program ....pg. 3 * Established in 1999, the first two New Iowan Centers were opened in Muscatine and Sioux City, the eastern and western doors to Iowa....pg. 3 * We appreciate the feedback we get from our customers. Read a few noteworthy comments we’ve received....pg. 4

Iowa Workforce Monthly, March 2009, Issue 3

Highlights: * Local Iowa Workforce centers offer a variety of assessment testing, available for both job seekers and employers alike.....pg. 2 * IWD Associate Kristy Zeransky received a thank you letter from a gentleman who succeeded in attaining gainful employment due to the teamwork exhibited at IWD....pg. 2 * Iowa Workforce Development offers many services for employers as well as individuals. One service that assists everyone is called Rapid Response....pg. 3 * Regional Manager Steve McCann met Bruce Charlet at the IWD/KCCI job fair....pg. 3

Iowa Workforce Monthly, April 2009, Issue 4

Highlights: *The Siouxland Tri-State Region is currently taking interest surveys for a potential wind energy company. .....pg. 2 * Over twenty businesses participated in a job fair last month in Red Oak....pg. 3 * Over 70 employers from across southwestern Iowa attended a seminar hosted by the SW Iowa division of the Employers Council of Iowa....pg. 3

Iowa Workforce Monthly, May 2009, Issue 5

Highlights: *Iowa’s OSHA Consultation and Education team recently received the coveted OSCAR.....pg. 2 & The New Iowan Center in Marshalltown invited the public to a night of cultural exploration on May 13. ...pg. 2 * IWD Deputy Director Joe Walsh testified before Congress in April to discuss how the Recovery Act impacts unemployed Iowans. ...pg. 2 * Over 1,000 attended the annual Southeast Iowa Regional Job Fair on March 26 at the Burlington Memorial Auditorium in Burlington...pg. 3 * On May 14, the Region 11 Veteran’s Team toured the Iowa Veterans Home...pg. 3

Iowa Workforce Monthly, July 2009, Issue 6

Highlights: *Over the last year, Iowa Workforce Development and the Waterloo Commission on Human Rights met with several community sources.....pg. 2 * Larry Gearheart took advantage of the Trade Adjustment Act assistance after being laid off. ...pg. 2 lIowa Workforce Development ended a week of Food Bank activities with a BBQ from on Friday, June 19th, on the east lawn of IWD ...pg. 2 * After many months of working toward the goal of getting reduced bus fares for Veterans, one key first step has been established...pg. 3

Iowa Workforce Monthly, August 2009, Issue 7

Highlights: *Governor Chet Culver announced a major public-private partnership between Microsoft and the State of Iowa.....pg. 2 * Daniel Skella worked with IWD after being release from prison...pg. 2 * Iowa Workforce Development works with offenders to find gainful employment after being released...pg. 3 * The Davenport Workforce Development Center has been nominated in recognition for providing older workers with job opportunities in a senior-friendly workplace...pg. 3