FEATURE Review by Joel McNutt
Putting Missourians On A Path To Learn, Work And Prosper The Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development (MDHEWD) is working to reduce barriers to educational attainment and workforce participation. After a reorganization of state government in August 2019, we are now uniquely positioned to serve both students and adults, making MDHEWD a key player in community development. With a vision to empower all Missourians with the skills and education needed for success, MDHEWD offers free resources for all career options beyond high school, for people of every skill level,
and for all types of employers needing assistance. After record-high unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, OWD acted quickly to help Missourians get back to work. Partnerships with online learning platforms Coursera and CompTIA are still active, enrolling Missourians to learn new skills and earn certifications to advance in their career, or to find new opportunities for employment. More than 25 Missouri Job Centers are located across the state to work directly with job seekers and employers. MoJobs
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theReview July/August 2022
and the new MoJobs Connect App, combined with virtual services both online and via telephone, help pair job seekers with interested employers. Job Centers offer resume assistance, mock interviews and even assessments, like WorkKeys and Talify, helping job seekers understand their skills and how to put their best foot forward when interacting with employers. Also, our Community Development team is committed to working directly with employers to find the best talent for their organization. As t h e d e p ar t m e nt wor k s t o operationalize our mission to put Missourians on a path to learn, work and prosper, financial aid opportunities for students and adults continue to be a focus. Federal training dollars, like the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA), the state’s Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant, and investments to expand apprenticeship programs help Missouri adults earn certificates or degrees in high-demand fields. Through Registered Apprenticeship and work-based learning opportunities, Missouri helps employers build their own skilled workers. Missouri has consistently ranked in the top three in the nation for the number of Registered Apprenticeships, having recently met its statewide goal 30 months ahead of schedule of enrolling more than 20,000 apprentices by 2025. By creating work-ready communities, we are identifying skill gaps, helping
