Iowa Students Tackle Workforce Challenges in C&W Services Case Competition

C&W Services hosted an innovative case competition, during National Apprentice Week, that put Iowa’s brightest high school students at the forefront of solving today’s workforce challenges. Held at the Great Prairie Area Education Agency in Ottumwa, Iowa, the event brought together teams from three high schools to address a pressing industry issue: developing a creative, actionable recruitment campaign for skilled trades professionals.

The competition challenged high school students to design a marketing strategy to recruit 25 skilled trades professionals for C&W Services’ major client, Cargill using a $10,000 budget. Each team presented their ideas in a 15-minute pitch to a panel of senior managers, followed by a Q&A session. Campaigns were evaluated on creativity, feasibility, impact, and budget alignment.

“The event was a huge success, and we were all blown away by the talent of the students,” said Chris Leach, who helped coordinate the competition. “The excitement and feedback from the students were very positive. Of the three schools that attended, Bloomfield High School was the winner by a small margin. I’ve also added a photo of the school’s Facebook posting on their school page—there were so many great comments.”

The Results: Bloomfield Takes the Trophy

After a highly competitive event, Bloomfield High School was named the winner with an outstanding score for their original and results-driven campaign. Their strategy impressed judges with its creative execution and actionable insights, setting a benchmark for future participants.

“The competition was a success,” said Roger Collins, a key judge & Senior Workforce Planning & Apprentice Specialist. “Bloomfield High School won with a total score of 87.3 and two areas of focus in their presentation. We are already looking to complete the next competition in Dayton, Ohio, possibly this spring. Each team had strengths in different areas, and the scores were really close.”

Each member of the winning team was awarded a $1,000 scholarship, and their campaign will be implemented by the C&W Services team in Eddyville. In recognition of their achievement, the students’ names will also be engraved on a custom-designed trophy belt—symbolizing their innovative contributions to the future of workforce recruitment.

The case competition welcomed teams from Albia, Bloomfield, and Ottumwa high schools. Students tackled the recruitment challenge with fresh, innovative approaches, including digital marketing strategies and community-based outreach campaigns. Judges praised the participants’ creativity and ability to apply strategic thinking to a complex, real-world issue.

The competition earned overwhelmingly positive feedback from students and educators alike, with participants citing the event as both challenging and inspiring. Beyond addressing a critical workforce issue, the initiative equipped students with key skills such as collaboration, communication, and problem-solving—preparing them to succeed in today’s dynamic workplace.

What’s Next For C&W Services?

The Iowa Case Competition marks the first step in a broader initiative by C&W Services to develop a sustainable talent pipeline as a USDOL Apprenticeship Ambassador and engage the next generation of skilled professionals for its thriving facilities management business. C&W Services is already planning to implement key elements of Bloomfield’s campaign and has announced plans to expand the program, with the next competition scheduled for Dayton, Ohio, in the Spring of 2025.

The success of the Iowa Case Competition demonstrates the power of collaboration between industry leaders and educational institutions. C&W Services congratulates all participants, educators, and organizers who contributed to this remarkable event.