Celebrating 11 Years of Innovation & Opportunity in the Cedar Valley – It’s Time for a SHIPHT!

For over a decade, SHIPHT has been at the forefront of preparing young people in the Cedar Valley for success. What began as a creative spark has evolved into a dynamic, high-impact ecosystem of education, innovation, and career access—empowering the next generation to lead with purpose.

We started with the STEM in the Arts Urban Outreach Initiative, a groundbreaking collaboration with the University of Northern Iowa’s Textile and Apparel Program, Leader Valley, Infiniti Enterprises, and KBOL. Designed to expose 6th to 8th-grade girls to STEAM careers, this initiative planted the seeds for what SHIPHT has become.

Since then, SHIPHT has expanded its reach dramatically. Over the past five years, we've served more than 1,200 studentsthrough summer academies, career technical education, entrepreneurship programming, and youth leadership development. We’ve partnered with UNI’s Center for Urban Education, the Institute for Youth Leadership, and dozens of local employers and education leaders to host everything from Youth Cafés and design labs to full internship pipelines.

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The Economic Impact of SHIPHT

The results are undeniable. SHIPHT has:

• Catalyzed over $1.5 million in student wages, stipends, and microgrants

• Launched youth-led ventures and projects that contribute to Cedar Valley’s creative economy

• Connected hundreds of students to paid internships, job shadowing, and credentialing opportunities

• Contributed to measurable increases in youth workforce participation, particularly among Black and Brown students

SHIPHT isn’t just preparing young people for jobs—it’s driving economic mobility and generational change across the region.

 

The SHIPHT Mission: Empowering Future Leaders & Expanding Opportunities

 

SHIPHT activates entrepreneurial thinking and transforms career pathways for emerging and existing talent. We focus on expanding pipelines in business, technology, healthcare, public service, and skilled trades—especially for those often left out of opportunity.

We align with the Future Ready Iowa Act, ensuring high school graduates—particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds—have access to high-demand, high-growth career paths.

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Why SHIPHT Matters: Shifting Outcomes in Black Hawk County

Too many students in our region are overlooked by traditional systems. In Black Hawk County, 43% of households are ALICE—Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed—working hard but struggling to meet basic needs (United Way ALICE Report).

SHIPHT is closing the gap with:

• Access to in-demand skills

• Culturally relevant curriculum

• Paid work-based learning

• Mentorship and exposure to new industries

We’re building a workforce ecosystem rooted in equity, excellence, and empowerment.

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Join Us in Making the SHIPHT!

Through bold innovation, powerful partnerships, and a fierce commitment to equity, SHIPHT is shaping the future of Cedar Valley’s workforce. Our work is about more than training—it’s about transformation.

Are you ready to make the SHIPHT with us? 🚀

SHIPHT is now part of the ONE Cedar Valley family—amplifying our impact and deepening our reach.