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Southwestern Community College (SWCC) Business & Community Development is expanding workforce training opportunities in the Osceola area, offering a growing range of technical, professional and leadership development programs for area employers and their employees.
Several programs will be offered this fall at the SWCC Osceola Center, with additional opportunities planned for 2027 at the Osceola Center, the ORBIT Center and other regional locations.
The fall schedule includes hands-on technical training and professional development programs designed to help businesses strengthen the skills of their existing workforce.
Among the offerings is a 32-hour GMAW/MIG Welding Training program beginning in October at the SWCC Osceola Center Welding Lab. Meeting Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 to 8 p.m., the course will provide hands-on training in gas metal arc welding (GMAW/MIG).
The Osceola Center will also host several programs through SWCC’s Professional Skills Series:
- Manager Boot Camp — October 8, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Accountability & Emotional Intelligence Workshop — November 12, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Difficult Conversations + Feedback & Coaching — December 10, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“These programs are designed around the needs we’ve heard from employers across the region,” said Wayne Pantini, CEcD, Vice President of Economic Development at Southwestern Community College. “Workforce development isn’t just about preparing people to enter the workforce. It’s also about helping current employees develop new technical skills, become stronger leaders and continue growing within their organizations.”
SWCC is also developing an expanded slate of training opportunities for the first half of 2027, including leadership, financial literacy, industrial technology, welding and workplace safety.
The college’s Emerging Leader Program is designed for employees who want to grow their influence, take greater ownership of their professional development and prepare for potential future leadership roles. The program is planned for the SWCC Red Oak Center during the first or second quarter of 2027, with plans to bring it to the Osceola Center in summer or fall 2027 based on interest and participation.
SWCC also plans to offer Money Mindset & Habit Mastery at the Osceola Center, Creston Campus and Red Oak Center during the first quarter of 2027. The program will provide practical financial literacy training designed for frontline and manufacturing employees.
At the ORBIT Center in Osceola, SWCC is developing new industrial technology training in partnership with local industry. A three-part Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) training series is being developed with Shawn Oaks, SWCC Applied Engineering Technology Instructor. The program will introduce PLC fundamentals while incorporating additional mechanical and industrial topics relevant to modern manufacturing.
Additional welding opportunities are also being developed, including a Maintenance Welding course covering foundational welding skills for machine and fixture repair and modification, as well as a 32-hour TIG Welding course planned for spring 2027. SWCC is also exploring OSHA and CPR/First Aid/AED training at the Osceola Center during the first or second quarter of 2027.
Together, the programs represent an expanding workforce-development network centered around Osceola and serving businesses and workers across the region.
“Having these training opportunities available locally makes it easier for businesses to invest in their people,” said Andrew Clark, Executive Director at the Clarke County Development Corporation (CCDC). “Our goal is to continue integrating programs that are relevant to what local employers need and make sure they’re accessible to the communities we serve.”
Course descriptions, schedules, pricing and registration information are available through Southwestern Community College Business & Community Development at https://ace.swcciowa.edu/modules/.