The Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development was recognized at a national summit as a top state in the ACT Work Ready Communities Initiative. The effort is designed to help states, regions, and communities build a skilled workforce that meets the needs of employers and supports economic growth. They do this by identifying skill gaps and helping teachers build career pathways aligned with the needs of businesses.
Program Manager Traci Albertson told Missourinet that the state currently leads the nation with 99 work-ready communities and another 112 working towards certification.
“It helps these businesses stay in our community and even expand,” Albertson said. “If they have a know that there’s an available workforce for them that will meet the needs of their business. So, it’s just encouraging on both sides for employees and businesses to know that that option is available right within their community.”
Over 100 Missouri counties actively participate in the initiative. The counties recognized for achieving or maintaining their status include Benton, Cooper, Greene, Lewis, Macon, Moniteau, Monroe, Ralls, Randolph, Stoddard, Sullivan, and Worth Counties.
“Every year we have multiple counties that re-certify or maintain their certification,” she said. “So, throughout the state, 99 of our 114 counties already have this certification. So, it’s pretty widespread. So, it’s available in a lot of communities.”
Julie Carter, Director of the Office of Workforce Development, said that the goal is to reach 100% participation and 100% certification.
Albertson said that it helps individual counties and communities pinpoint their specific needs.
“The committees that form within these counties really drawing from so many different sources such as the education side, the economic developers, the chambers, employers, really helps know what that community needs specifically,” she said. “So, they can, you know, seek out those type of employees.”
To be considered a Certified Work Ready Community, counties must gain support from businesses in the community and earn certification.
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