T-R PHOTO BY MIKE DONAHEY — Marshalltown Central Business District Executive Director Deb Millizer speaks to a group of educators in front of the new shared Chamber/MCBD office on Wednesday.

Area educators strive to teach youth “hard skills” defined as learnable skills that enable individuals to perform job-specific tasks like.taking blood pressure, running a lathe, using a computer, or making change.

However, one educator said 50 of her colleagues from Central Iowa will now be better prepared to teach “soft skills” too.

“Business people in a varied spectrum tell us they can teach their employees specific skill sets,” said Jenny Allen of the Marshalltown Community School District.”That is skills they need for their specific job. But one thing we (the employers) can’t teach, they tell us, is work ethic, personality, getting along with others and more.”

Allen, with 25 years experience in education, elaborated more on soft skills such as effective listening and speaking with co-workers, respect for others and showing up for work on time and meeting employers’ expectations while on the job.

“Business people from all endeavors and parents of students want us to follow-through on ‘soft skill’ education,” she said.

Allen, along with other educators and project partners, developed a curriculum where educators listened to, and then asked questions of employers.

Allen and colleagues from eight other school districts spent three sessions of two-days each or a total of six information-packed days this summer learning the importance of teaching and getting their students to implement those skills.

The educators talked to area business owners, farmers and government officials one-to-one with candid questions offered and equally candid answers given.

T-R PHOTO BY MIKE DONAHEY — Megan Lanfier, far left, of Marshalltown, gestures while speaking to a group of Central Iowa educators at her business, Tannin Wine Bar and Craft Beers in Marshalltown Wednesday. Lanfier told the attendees about the challenges and benefits of running a business in the competitive hospitality industry.

On Wednesday, the group visited Tannin Wine Bar and Craft Beer in Marshalltown.

Owner Megan Lanfier of Tannin emphasized the communication aspect in a restaurant industry while meeting, or exceeding customer’s expectations.

“I thought the session went well,” Lanfier said.

Earlier in the day the group met with staff from Marshalltown’s Holiday Inn Express.

The group also met at Wayward Social – a restaurant and bowling alley in Marshalltown.

Also on Wednesday, the educators met with John Hall, CEO of the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce and Deb Millizer director of the Central Business District/Main Street Community.

T-R PHOTO BY MIKE DONAHEY — Marshalltown Fire Chief, David Rierson, far left, is shown answering a question about fire department operations from an educator at the police/fire facility on Thursday. A group of 25 educators toured the department to become familiar with skill sets needed by a firefighter.

On Thursday, the educators visited the Marshalltown Fire Department and Police Department in their joint facility on South Second Street.

MFD chief David Rierson was candid in telling the group what soft and hard skills are demanded of firefighters.

Earlier sessions conducted this summer included visits to agri-business, technology and advanced manufacturing settings.

Allen said educators are eager to participate in the sessions.

A waiting list to participate is not uncommon, she said.

Educators in special education, physical education, business, and the social sciences participated.

In addition to Marshalltown, the educators represented BCLUW, BGM, East Marshall, GMG, Grinnell, Montezuma South Marshalltown, West Marshall, South Tama school districts.

“We have really good feedback from employers and teachers on what we are doing,” she said

“I learned about the places we visited and expectations of employers,” said Melissa Ulch of Conrad, who teaches in the MCSD.