The first of a series of meetings for the “Future Ready Iowa” initiative kicked off at the capitol Wednesday afternoon with a roundtable discussion between Governor Branstad, Lieutenant Governor Reynolds, and eight Iowa students about what the state can do to better align education and workforce initiatives to close the skills gap among prospective young employees.

Each of the students characterized their interaction with their career field experts and how they could be better served by their schools and the state with more resources and more hands-on experiences in their field. Governor Branstad agreed.

“Students we heard from, like in welding and electrician where you’re doing hands-on things,” said Branstad, “I think that’s a really good thing. And I saw that as president of Des Moines University. Medical students, the first two years they are in the classroom and then they’re in the lab, but then they are in rotations and in the clinic. That all helps.”

Many of the students on the panel said they would also like more personal instruction from counselors and advisers about their future career paths.

“Maybe require someone to come speak to us,” said David Ewing, a student at Lincoln High School. “Even if we can have a teacher that is specific to you to guide you and talk to you and sit down and have an honest conversation about what you want to do and how you can get there.”

Branstad also noted the push for partnership between business and schools to bring hands-on experiences to students.

“I know there is some of that going on in Iowa,” said Branstad. “I have visited some companies where they actually had students that were interning there. We need to encourage that.”

The students were also asked where they found their information about potential careers. All of them said the Internet.

“I know that’s where a lot of students get their information,” said Branstad. “I know it’s also where students apply now for schools and higher education. It’s opened up a lot of avenues and additional information.”

Lieutenant Governor Reynolds suggested the “Future Ready Iowa” initiative create a mobile app or dashboard website for students, parents, and advisers to access for information about careers, job opportunities, and detailed requirements for jobs, such as vocational training or a four-year college degree.

The meeting at the capitol was just one of many the governor said he plans to organize throughout the coming months in all areas of the state. The meetings are made possible through a grant from the National Governors Association. in April 2016, the governor will host a statewide conference to discuss the findings of the meetings and give an update on the “Future Ready Iowa” initiative.