DED report highlights excellence in job training programs

The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) released a report this week that chronicles significant achievements in Missouri’s workforce development system during the previous fiscal year. The report, “Competing in the 21st Century: Building the Workforce To Lead Missouri’s Economic Transformation” was developed by DED’s Division of Workforce Development (DWD) and includes performance data on the various federal- and state-funded career assistance and training services delivered through the system of 43 Missouri Career Centers.  

According to the report, during the period of July 1, 2008—June 30, 2009:

• 398,092 Missourians received services through Missouri Career Centers—a 70% increase from the previous program year.
• Training assistance was provided to 243 Missouri companies to train 32,468 workers earning an average wage of $19.50 an hour through the Missouri Customized Training Program.
• 22,074 adults, dislocated workers and youth received Workforce Investment Act-funded career assistance services.
• 24,007 veterans received intensive employment assistance.
• More than 7,800 Missouri youth were provided on-the-job training and work experience at over 2,100 employers through the Next-Generation Jobs Team.

In addition to the federally-mandated performance data, the report includes descriptions of new strategies that helped the workforce system respond more flexibly and capably to train and prepare individuals for jobs during a challenging economic environment. Chief among these was Governor Nixon’s stimulus-funded Next-Generation Jobs Team summer youth program, cited in the last bullet above, whose success was featured on ABC News, Forbes, and widely covered in Missouri media. A second example was the new Regional Collaboration Center, opened in Fenton after the closure of the Chrysler Truck Plant to provide comprehensive career services to impacted auto workers.

“Creating new jobs for Missourians will always be the number one priority of the Missouri Department of Economic Development,” said Katie Steele Danner, Interim Director of the DED. “This report illustrates the level of excellence maintained by our workforce system leaders and professionals to ensure Missouri’s job seekers and businesses can depend on the best career services available.”

“These successes would not be possible without the strong partnerships between DWD, local workforce investment boards, employers, organized labor and community colleges,” DWD Director Julie Gibson said. “I am committed to working collaboratively with state and local partners to ensure that Missouri’s workforce development system is up to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”

A downloadable copy of the report to learn more about career assistance and training services available through Missouri’s workforce system may be found online at workforce.mo.gov.  Click here to download PDF version of the report.