Career Training in Des Moines, Iowa
Live Online Certificate Programs for Greater Des Moines Professionals and Career Changers
Des Moines is the insurance capital of the United States. The metro trails only Hartford, Connecticut and New York among national insurance hubs, and the industry accounts for roughly 16 percent of the region’s jobs, with more than 80 insurance and financial services companies employing tens of thousands of professionals across downtown Des Moines, West Des Moines, and the surrounding suburbs. (Source: U.S. Chamber of Commerce) But Des Moines is no longer a one-industry city. The metro has quietly built one of the most concentrated data center markets in the country, with Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Google collectively investing billions in hyperscale facilities across West Des Moines, Altoona, and Waukee. Healthcare systems anchor the region’s employment base. And Iowa’s position as the country’s leading agricultural state has spawned a growing ag-tech and bioscience sector headquartered in the Des Moines metro.
That economic breadth creates consistent demand for professionals with practical skills in data analytics, project management, IT administration, and digital marketing. Insurance companies need analysts who can work with actuarial, risk, and customer data. Technology employers need IT professionals and project managers. Healthcare systems need data-driven decision makers and certified project coordinators. Every major sector in the Des Moines metro is hiring for the skills that Digital Workshop Center programs teach.
DWC delivers live, instructor-led certificate programs and workforce training to students across the country, including throughout the Greater Des Moines metro and central Iowa. Students enroll from Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, Johnston, Waukee, Altoona, Clive, Ames, and communities across the eight-county IowaWORKS Des Moines service area. Every program is taught live by an expert instructor in small classes, built around hands-on projects and AI-integrated workflows, and backed by career coaching included at no additional cost. DWC is WIOA-approved in Iowa, which means Des Moines residents working with IowaWORKS can use Individual Training Account funding toward approved programs.
Why Des Moines Is a Strong Market for Career Training
Des Moines consistently ranks among the best mid-sized metros for employment opportunity, cost of living, and quality of life. Forbes has ranked the city as the top city for young professionals and the best for up-and-coming downtown areas. (Source: U.S. Chamber of Commerce) The Greater Des Moines Partnership, the region’s public-private economic development organization, has helped more than 450 projects either expand or relocate to the metro since 1999, generating more than 23,000 jobs and attracting nearly 150 new businesses.
The practical opportunity for career changers and job seekers in Des Moines is that the city’s employer base is deep across multiple sectors and growing. The insurance and financial services industry provides a stable employment floor that most metros cannot match. The technology sector, led by hyperscale data center investment from Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Google, is adding infrastructure jobs and technology operations roles. Healthcare employment is consistent and growing. And the metro’s affordability means that professional salaries stretch further here than in comparable markets.
Greater Des Moines supports a workforce of nearly 37,300 employees within its high-tech ecosystem, and the region was ranked as the ninth-largest U.S. data center market, housing over 50 data centers. (Source: Site Selection Magazine) The pipeline of new data center investment across committed and announced projects carries potential capital investment well above $20 billion. That infrastructure build-out is creating demand not just for construction and engineering, but for the IT professionals, project managers, and data analysts who keep these operations running.
Des Moines Key Industries and What They Need
Insurance and Financial Services: The Industry That Defines the Metro
Des Moines is a global hub of the insurance industry. The city is headquarters to Principal Financial Group, which is investing more than $400 million to renovate its downtown corporate offices. Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, the state’s dominant health insurer, is headquartered in downtown Des Moines. Wells Fargo maintains its home mortgage division headquarters in the metro, employing approximately 13,000 people across Des Moines and West Des Moines, making it the single largest private employer in the region. (Source: Greater Des Moines Partnership Major Employers) Nationwide, EMC Insurance, Voya Financial, F&G (Fidelity & Guaranty Life), and American Equity Investment Life Insurance all maintain significant operations in the metro.
Insurance and financial services employers in Des Moines hire data analysts to work with actuarial data, risk modeling, claims analytics, customer segmentation, and regulatory reporting. Project managers coordinate technology platform migrations, compliance initiatives, product launches, and operational improvement programs. Digital marketing professionals manage lead generation, brand positioning, agent recruitment, and digital customer engagement across a market where every major insurer competes for the same policyholder and talent pools. The concentration of financial services employers means Des Moines has an unusually deep job market for these roles compared to cities of similar size.
Technology and the Data Center Capital of the Midwest
Des Moines has emerged as one of the most significant data center markets in the United States. Microsoft has invested between $5 billion and $6 billion in six hyperscale data center campuses in West Des Moines, with a seventh approved. Meta’s $2.5 billion data center campus in Altoona is one of the largest in the company’s global portfolio. Apple’s $1.4 billion data center in Waukee is under construction. Google operates data centers in nearby Council Bluffs and is expanding into Cedar Rapids. (Source: Site Selection Magazine)
Beyond data centers, technology companies including Cognizant maintain significant Des Moines operations. Iowa’s Global Insurance Accelerator, headquartered in Des Moines, is the world’s first business accelerator focused on insurance technology. (Source: Iowa Economic Development Authority) The convergence of insurance, fintech, and data infrastructure creates a technology sector that hires IT professionals for infrastructure and support roles, data analysts for operations and business intelligence, project managers for build-outs and technology implementations, and UX designers for the software platforms that power modern insurance and financial services delivery.
Healthcare: UnityPoint Health, MercyOne, and Broadlawns
Healthcare is the third major employment pillar in the Des Moines metro. UnityPoint Health, one of the largest integrated health systems in the Midwest, is headquartered in West Des Moines and operates Iowa Methodist Medical Center and Iowa Lutheran Hospital in the metro. MercyOne (formerly Mercy Medical Center) operates MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center and multiple specialty facilities throughout central Iowa. Broadlawns Medical Center serves as the public safety-net hospital for Polk County.
Healthcare employers in Des Moines hire consistently for the same non-clinical roles that DWC programs prepare students for. Data analysts work with clinical outcomes, patient volume, operational efficiency, and financial performance data across hospital systems that manage hundreds of thousands of patient encounters annually. Project managers coordinate electronic health record implementations, facility expansions, regulatory compliance initiatives, and process improvement programs. Digital marketing professionals manage patient acquisition, community health outreach, physician recruiting, and brand management for health systems competing in an increasingly consumer-driven healthcare market.
Agriculture, Ag-Tech, and Bioscience
Iowa is the nation’s leading agricultural state, and Des Moines is where agriculture meets technology. Corteva Agriscience (the parent company of Pioneer) is headquartered in Indianapolis but maintains its largest research and operational footprint in the Des Moines metro, particularly in Johnston. John Deere Financial is based in nearby Johnston as well. Kemin Industries, a global ingredient manufacturer, is headquartered in Des Moines. Iowa’s bioscience sector has seen 8 percent employment growth from 2016 to 2021. (Source: Iowa Economic Development Authority)
Ag-tech and bioscience companies need data analysts to work with agricultural research data, supply chain analytics, and financial performance reporting. Project managers coordinate research programs, product development timelines, and regulatory submission processes. Digital marketing professionals support product launches, grower communications, and brand management for companies operating in global agricultural markets.
Certificate Programs Available to Des Moines Students
All DWC programs are delivered live online. Greater Des Moines students participate in real-time classes from downtown offices near the Principal Financial campus, from home offices in West Des Moines or Urbandale, from apartments in Ankeny or Johnston, from Waukee, Altoona, or Clive, or from Ames and communities anywhere in central Iowa. No campus. No commute. If you have an internet connection anywhere in the IowaWORKS Des Moines service area, you can participate.
Every program includes live, instructor-led classes in real time with an expert in the field, small class sizes where questions get real answers, hands-on projects that build a portfolio, AI-integrated workflows that reflect how Des Moines employers actually use these tools, career coaching covering resumes, portfolios, LinkedIn, and interview preparation, class recordings for review, and a certificate that meets WIOA documentation standards.
Data Analytics Training
Learn Excel, SQL, and Power BI alongside how AI tools are transforming data analysis and reporting. Des Moines’ insurance, financial services, healthcare, and technology sectors all generate massive volumes of actuarial, operational, and customer data that require skilled analysts. The concentration of insurance companies alone creates a job market for data analysts that is disproportionately large for a metro of this size. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects data scientist and analyst roles to grow 36 percent nationally through 2033, and Des Moines’ affordability means competitive analyst salaries stretch further than in coastal or larger metros.
Project Management Training
Build planning, coordination, and leadership skills with exposure to how AI supports scheduling, forecasting, and resource management. The program satisfies the 35 contact hours of formal project management education required to apply for the PMP exam through PMI. Des Moines’ insurance companies, healthcare systems, technology firms, and ag-tech organizations all run complex, multi-stakeholder projects requiring certified project management professionals. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects management analyst roles to grow 11 percent nationally through 2034, with nearly 98,000 new openings expected each year.
Digital Marketing Training
Develop skills in SEO, paid advertising, content strategy, and analytics alongside how AI tools are changing campaign performance and content creation. Des Moines’ insurance companies compete for policyholders and agents. Healthcare systems compete for patients and physicians. Technology and ag-tech companies compete for talent and market share. Every one of these employer categories needs digital marketing professionals who understand analytics-driven campaign management.
CompTIA A+ IT Technician Training
Build foundational IT support and troubleshooting skills with dual CompTIA A+ certification preparation. Des Moines’ data center ecosystem, insurance company IT departments, healthcare systems, and financial services firms all maintain significant technology infrastructure requiring certified support professionals. The growth of hyperscale data centers from Microsoft, Meta, and Apple in the metro has created downstream demand for IT professionals across the region. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects computer support specialist roles to grow 6 percent through 2033, with approximately 67,000 openings each year.
CompTIA Network+ Networking Training
Learn network administration, configuration, and security with CompTIA Network+ exam preparation. Des Moines’ concentration of data centers, insurance company networks, and healthcare system infrastructure creates strong demand for network professionals who understand enterprise-scale environments. Network+ certification is a recognized baseline credential for network administration roles across both commercial and government environments.
UX Design Training
Learn user research, wireframing, and usability testing alongside how AI is influencing interface design and product development workflows. Des Moines’ insurance technology (insurtech) sector, financial services digital platforms, healthcare patient portals, and commercial software companies create demand for UX designers who can improve customer-facing and enterprise applications.
Graphic Design Training
Build skills in Adobe Creative Cloud alongside how AI-assisted design tools are changing creative workflows and production. Demand from Des Moines agencies, insurance company marketing departments, healthcare system communications teams, and ag-tech brand teams that operate in global markets.
All Certificate Programs
Explore all the full-length certification programs DWC has to offer, including Business Administration, QuickBooks Bookkeeper, Digital Media Production, and Frontend Web Development.
Workforce Funding for Des Moines Career Training
Several funding pathways are available for central Iowa students. Many residents who train at DWC do not pay out of pocket.
WIOA Workforce Funding and IowaWORKS Des Moines
WIOA, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, is the primary federal program that helps eligible adults and dislocated workers cover the cost of career training through an Individual Training Account. In Des Moines and central Iowa, WIOA services are administered through IowaWORKS, Iowa’s network of American Job Centers operated by Iowa Workforce Development.
IowaWORKS Des Moines
The main IowaWORKS Des Moines office is located at 200 Army Post Road, Des Moines, IA 50315. Phone: (515) 281-9619. Email: DesMoinesIowaWORKS@iwd.iowa.gov. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. A satellite office, IowaWORKS Des Moines River Park, provides additional access for Des Moines residents. (Source: Iowa Workforce Development)
The IowaWORKS Des Moines office serves residents of Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marion, Polk, Story, and Warren counties. That coverage area includes Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, Johnston, Waukee, Altoona, Clive, Ames, Newton, Indianola, and surrounding communities. (Source: IowaWORKS Contact Directory)
Getting Started with IowaWORKS
Before your first visit, create your account at IowaWORKS.gov, Iowa’s statewide workforce system. This registration is required to access WIOA services and connects you to job postings, labor market data, and training program information across the state.
DWC programs are WIOA-eligible in Iowa. Contact our team and we will provide all documentation your IowaWORKS career planner needs to support an ITA approval. Start with your local IowaWORKS office before enrolling anywhere. WIOA funding must be approved before training begins.
Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services
If you have a disability that creates a barrier to employment, Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services through Iowa Workforce Development may fund career training through a separate program. VR services are available through local offices across Iowa, including in the Des Moines area, and eligibility is not based on income. DWC has a long history of working with VR clients. Read the DVR Participants Guide here.
Payment Plans and Scholarships
DWC offers flexible payment options that spread tuition over time, and scholarships and promotional pricing are available throughout the year. Financing through Climb Credit is also available for students who prefer a payment plan or whose employer offers tuition reimbursement. Des Moines’ concentration of large employers means many residents have access to employer-sponsored tuition reimbursement or professional development benefits that can be applied toward DWC programs. Contact our admissions team to ask what is currently available.
Related DWC Pages for Des Moines and Iowa Students
Des Moines Career Training FAQs
Does Digital Workshop Center have a physical location in Des Moines?
DWC is based in Fort Collins, Colorado, and all certificate programs are delivered live online. Greater Des Moines students participate in the same live, instructor-led classes as students across the country. That includes residents of Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, Johnston, Waukee, Altoona, Clive, Ames, Newton, Indianola, and communities across all eight counties in the IowaWORKS Des Moines service area. No commute and no campus visit required.
Can I use WIOA funding from IowaWORKS to pay for DWC programs?
Yes, if you are eligible. DWC programs are WIOA-eligible in Iowa. Your career planner at IowaWORKS Des Moines can confirm eligibility and initiate your Individual Training Account. The main office is located at 200 Army Post Road, Des Moines, IA 50315, phone (515) 281-9619. Contact our team directly and we will supply all documentation your career planner needs. WIOA funding must be approved before training begins.
Which certificate programs are most relevant for Des Moines' job market?
Data analytics is the strongest fit given Des Moines’ concentration of insurance companies, financial services firms, healthcare systems, and technology operations that all rely heavily on data-driven decision making. Project management is in demand across every major sector, from insurance platform migrations to healthcare facility expansions to data center build-outs. CompTIA A+ and Network+ provide entry into IT roles across the metro’s substantial technology infrastructure, including data center operations. Digital marketing serves the competitive insurance, healthcare, and financial services markets where customer and policyholder acquisition is increasingly digital.
How long do programs take to complete?
How do I get started?
Schedule an info session with a DWC advisor to talk through your goals, which program fits your situation, and what the enrollment and funding process looks like. If you are exploring WIOA funding, also contact IowaWORKS Des Moines at (515) 281-9619 to begin the eligibility process. WIOA funding must be approved before training begins.
Is Des Moines really a technology market?
Yes. Greater Des Moines is the ninth-largest data center market in the United States, with over 50 data centers and a committed investment pipeline exceeding $20 billion. Microsoft has invested between $5 billion and $6 billion in West Des Moines alone. Meta, Apple, and Google all operate or are building hyperscale facilities in the metro. Beyond data centers, Cognizant maintains significant operations in Des Moines, and the city’s Global Insurance Accelerator is the world’s first insurtech accelerator. (Source: Site Selection Magazine)
How long do programs take to complete?
Most certificate programs take three to six months to complete at a part-time pace, allowing students to continue working, job searching, or managing other responsibilities during training.
Does the Project Management Certificate satisfy the PMP exam education requirement?
Yes. DWC’s Project Management Certificate is a live, instructor-led program that satisfies the 35 contact hours of formal project management education required to apply for the PMP exam through PMI. Students receive a certificate of completion documenting their training hours for the PMI application.
Is career coaching included?
Yes. All certificate program students have access to career coaching at no additional cost covering resume writing, portfolio development, LinkedIn optimization, interview preparation, and job search strategy tailored to the Des Moines employer landscape.
Can I do career training while working full time?
Yes. DWC programs are designed for working adults. Classes are scheduled in evenings or at consistent weekly times, and the average weekly time commitment is 7 to 9 hours. Many students work full time or are actively job searching while enrolled. The live online format means there is no commute, and class recordings are available if you need to review material or miss a session.