In an era where skilled labor is in high demand, Baker Group is taking a proactive approach to building its future workforce by regularly engaging with community colleges and high schools. These outreach efforts, particularly with institutions like Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) in Ankeny and Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, are part of a coordinated strategy at Baker Group. 

Dave Brown, Senior Talent Business Partner at Baker Group, says these partnerships are important in an increasingly competitive and tight workforce. 

"We view our local high schools and community colleges as a direct pipeline to potential future employees,” Brown says. “And this doesn’t apply only to the trades. Schools like DMACC and Kirkwood are also providing skilled talent in areas like accounting, marketing, and HR." 

The collaboration with DMACC began through the college’s workforce readiness program, which caters to high schools in the Des Moines metropolitan area. Baker Group actively participates in career fairs, mock interviews, on-site tours, and classroom presentations, aiming to provide students with insights into potential career paths. 

Kirkwood Community College, another key partner, is also in Baker Group's outreach focus. While the partnership is evolving, Baker Group is actively involved in promoting career opportunities to students. Partnerships are also strong with a pair of colleges in Kansas City—Johnson County Community College and Kansas City Metro Community College—where Baker Group has had success in recruiting automation talent. 

Baker Group’s outreach efforts extend beyond community colleges to encompass high schools in the Des Moines and Cedar Rapids metro areas along with rural communities. Specifically, Baker Group has worked closely with Local 33, Mechanical Contractors Association of Iowa and NECA to host programming that introduces students at Southeast Polk High School in Altoona to the trades. Additionally, Baker Group participates in FFA programs, collaborates with programs like Orbis in Ankeny, and reaches out to schools in Boone, Madrid, Dallas Center-Grimes, Urbandale, Johnston, and more.

Brown emphasizes the significance of engaging with students early. 

"We are focused on reaching college students, but it is also a priority for us to reach middle school and high school kids, to share with them about the variety of career options available to them when they graduate,” Brown says. “They don't necessarily have to go to a major university or a four-year college to work in a satisfying career. They have other options like entering the trades or attending a two-year school."

In addition to regularly providing lectures on campuses and attending career fairs, Baker Group hosts bus tours and presentations in its shop, offering students a firsthand look at the possibilities within the trades. 

Frankie Johnson, a recruiter at Baker Group, says it is satisfying to know they are making an impression on students through outreach. 

"It's a great feeling to know that students are connecting and that maybe their thinking has been altered after seeing our shop and what the trades offer," she says. 

While the outreach is primarily focused on trades, Baker Group is committed to providing information on various career paths, ensuring students are aware of the diverse opportunities available. 

“We are making a concerted effort to shape the future workforce by engaging with educational institutions and reaching out to students,” Brown says. “In doing so, we are not only building awareness but also actively contributing to the development of skilled professionals who will play a vital role in the future of trades.”