Missouri – Missouri has become a shining example of dedication to workforce training in the face of a national scarcity of trained workers, especially in sectors with great demand for skilled labor. Recent data validates the state’s robust strategy for developing talent via apprenticeships, thus ensuring Missouri a third place in the United States for the most completed apprenticeships.
More than 3,230 Missourians finished apprenticeship programs during the past year, so confirming the state’s status as a top spot for practical professional training. Moreover, Missouri boasts fourth place in the US for new apprentices—more than 8,100 people registered in different programs across the state. This explosion of apprenticeships is a direct mirror of Missouri’s proactive approaches to fill skill shortages across several sectors, therefore guaranteeing that the workforce develops in line with the changing needs of the economy.
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Working with the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development launched a creative statewide apprenticeship matching program in 2020. This tool is meant to simplify the relationship between companies providing recognized apprenticeships and prospective candidates seeking worthwhile employment. For many Missourians, this approach not only helps them get skilled jobs but also supports Missouri’s leadership in using apprenticeship programs to improve workforce capacity.
The state’s apprenticeship programs are dedicated on creating long-lasting employment relationships in addition to covering job needs. Remarkably, 83 percent of apprentices stay with their sponsoring company for at least a year following program completion. This is yet another indicator that highlights the success of these programs in producing committed and qualified workers.
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Missouri’s success in apprenticeships is complemented by its top ranking in the U.S. for on-the-job training, further highlighting the state’s holistic approach to workforce development. Not only are these initiatives are meeting the current job needs, but they also help to create a strong economic framework that promotes ongoing innovation and expansion.
As a public-private economic development organization, the Missouri Partnership is extremely important supporting Missouri’s workforce projects. From its founding in 2008, the Missouri Partnership has been crucial in promoting state-wide employment and investment.
Working with statewide partners, the group has helped to create over 31,000 new employment and stimulate about $6 billion in capital investment. Among the big initiatives that have significantly benefited from these efforts are those involving well-known businesses as Accenture Federal Services LLC, American Foods Group, and Meta.
These improvements clearly demonstrate Missouri’s strategic vision and dedication to not only improve the workforce’s skill set but also draw large corporate investments supporting the overall state of the economy.
The state provides a strong model for others to follow as it keeps growing and extending its apprenticeship and training initiatives, thus addressing workforce issues head-on and guaranteeing that its sectors flourish on a basis of qualified and dedicated workers.
