Guthrie County and surrounding residents can enroll in certification programs including certified nursing assistant, medication manager, dietary manager, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and ServSafe for free thanks to a state grant received by Lakeside Village in Panora.

The assisted living facility received a $96,800 grant from the Coronavirus Relief Fund Employer Innovation Fund Grant program to use for training, books, equipment, and expenses like childcare, transportation, and hotel fare which can usually be a barrier for people seeking skills training. Lakeside Village Manager Amanda Creen says these funds can be used for current employees as well as the general public, with the goal of employing most of the participants in Guthrie County, “It would be nice for our local businesses, you know as the Panora Chamber of Commerce president I see the ‘Help Wanted’ signs and I see that our local businesses are struggling to hire right now, and I really would like to get some qualified applicants to these struggling businesses.”

All of the grant money must be spent by December 31st, and the programs must be completed by February 28th, 2021, so Creen encourages those interested in free skills training to contact her by the end of this month. You can reach Creen at 641-757-9993 or manager@thelakesidevillage.com.