Today Governor Eric Greitens announced the investment of nearly $3.6 million in discretionary federal funding to expand and develop new Registered Apprenticeship programs across the state. The Governor visited North Central Missouri College in Trenton to visit with students in the program and discuss the impact of these apprenticeships.
In Registered Apprenticeship Programs, students begin working from day one. The programs combine structured learning with on-the-job training under the supervision of a trade professional. The training evolves with the needs of the state’s employers, to ensure students get the skills they need to find full-time work, and helps Missourians “earn as they learn.”
After completing the program, the apprentice receives a nationally-recognized credential that can be listed on a resume to showcase the skills they’ve earned and the quality of the training that they’ve received.
“We want everyone in Missouri to get the skills they need to get a quality job. That’s why we’re more than doubling our investment in these apprenticeship programs. These new opportunities will help students get training to find good jobs and will help businesses to find workers with the skills to get started right away. It’s a proven program, and we’re investing in what works,” said Governor Eric Greitens.
Missouri’s existing Registered Apprenticeships are funded through a U.S. Department of Labor grant totaling $1.7 million that was awarded in 2016. With this announcement, the Department of Economic Development’s Division of Workforce Development will allocate an additional $3.6 million in discretionary federal funding from that grant to expand the program.
Missouri has established Registered Apprenticeship programs in target industries to make Missouri’s workforce more competitive, including Advanced Manufacturing, Healthcare, and IT. At North Central Missouri College, dozens of students will see new opportunities to train with local manufacturing and retail businesses
“This is a priority for the Division of Workforce Development as these programs are proven to grow Missouri’s businesses and prepare workers for ever-changing workforce demands,” said Mardy Leathers, Director of Missouri’s Division of Workforce Development.
A growing number of companies across a wide spectrum of business sectors currently use apprenticeship programs to train and develop their workers. Missouri currently has about 400 existing Registered Apprenticeship programs, 13,000 active apprentices and hundreds of participating employers.
For additional information about Missouri’s Registered Apprenticeship program, visitwww.jobs.mo.gov/moapprenticeships or call 800-877-8698.
