Narrative: III. a. 2. H.

Missouri links its training investments to targeted industry sectors and high demand occupations through Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC), and Eligible Training Providers System (ETPS). In most cases, these training investments are through Individual Training Accounts (ITA). An area of focus for the Missouri Job Centers will be to promote and expand their use of short term training for stackable credentials, licenses or certifications by working with employers promoting OJT, Registered Apprenticeships and customized training. Missouri Jobs Centers work closely and in partnership with area colleges and technical schools to provide career pathways to customers of the Job Center to obtain postsecondary diplomas, certificates and degrees.

Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation and Rehabilitation Services for the Blind

Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation and Rehabilitation Services for the Blind may provide vocational rehabilitation services to potentially eligible students with disabilities and eligible individuals, including youth with disabilities, to assist in accessing programs leading to post secondary credentials. Services are designed to create opportunities for enrollment in comprehensive transition or postsecondary educational programs, including registered apprenticeship training programs, leading to industry-recognized certificates, credentials, licenses, and post-secondary degrees. Services for eligible participants may include access to training programs, disability related accommodations, and support services necessary for the successful participation and completion of the training activity.

Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary education (DESE) has launched Top 10 by 20, a major improvement effort that aims for students to achieve in Missouri to rank amount the top 10 states by 2020. Missouri’s first goal is for all Missouri students will graduate college and career ready. The first objective, by 2020 student’s achievement will rank among the top 10 states in the U.S. Objective 2, by 2020 all students will qualify for entrance into postsecondary education/training. Goal 2, All Missouri children will enter kindergarten prepared to be successful in school. Objective 1, By 2020 increase the percentage of children participating in high-quality early childhood programs and services supported by the Department. Objective 2, By 2020 Missouri early childhood program data representing at least 50% of the children entering kindergarten will be included in the Missouri Comprehensive Data System (MCDS).

Goal 3, Missouri will prepare, develop, and support effective educators. Objective 1, By 2020m all preparations programs will be highly effective at preparing teacher candidates as defined by a uniform set of performance data points demonstrated by the proportion of preparation programs achieving each of the state’s performance benchmarks. Objective 2, by 2020, all educators will be effective as defined by a local evaluation process fully aligned to Missouri’s Essential Principle of Effective Evaluation. Goal 4, DESE will improve departmental efficiency and operational effectiveness. Objective 1, Increase the efficiency and effectiveness of Department operations to support the implementation of the Top 10 by 20 initiatives.

Dual Credit is another strategy that will aide in improving access to post secondary credentials. Missouri High School students have the opportunity to add dual credit courses along with their high school studies. Dual credit course provide high school students an opportunity to experience college-level coursework and to receive, simultaneously, both high school and college level courses. Providing dual credit to high school students not only work to increase the number of students graduating from high school and attending college but also reduces students’ costs and time to degree completion. The primary goal of this policy is to ensure that institutions across the state deliver high-quality college experience thereby increasing student success in and access to postsecondary education as student’s transition from high school to college.

Credits earned by students in dual credit courses that meet the guidelines of Dual Credit Delivery shall fall under the same CBHE guidelines as that for credit in college courses subject to transfer between public and independent institutions in the state of Missouri. College credit that is earned through dual credit coursed offered in high schools shall be applicable toward associate and/or baccalaureate degree requirements and shall be eligible for transfer.

Missouri state policy allows students to earn dual credit for academic or CTE postsecondary courses taken at their high school or a postsecondary institution. All public postsecondary institutions in the state are required to accept dual-enrollment credits.

Missouri Adult Education

Adult Education & Literacy (AEL), an agency in the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) provides assistance that helps Missouri Adults get the basic skills need to be productive workers, family members and citizens, and allow them to secure training that will enable them to become more employable and productive, as well as allowing them to continue their education to at least the level of completion of secondary school. The major areas of support are Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English Language Acquisition. Title II funding and strategic partnership will provide Adult Education and Literacy activities concurrently and contextually with workforce prep and workforce training, but will rely on partnerships to provide workforce training for specific occupations. Currently Adult Education and Literacy classes offered in 34 of Missouri counties.

Missouri TANF

Community Services Block Grants: Community Action Agencies (CAAs) provide various services that assist those seeking post-secondary education and/or credentials, as well as services and programs that encourage and assist high school students in graduating from high school and pursuing higher education goals. CAAs also have partnerships with educational institutions that provide pathways for customers to secure additional educational opportunities.

SkillUP: The postsecondary credential access through the Job Centers are the same as the DWD. Other CBO partnerships will be known based on response to the RFP.

MWA: MWA considers itself the starting point for many participants to be assessed to identify the participant’s strengths and weaknesses, overcome barriers and provide supportive services to allow the TA participant to pursue postsecondary credentials. MWA will continue to work with the area schools and colleges and will increase apprenticeships, develop partnerships with area employers who provide educational assistance to their employees.

Workforce Development Workforce Preparation

Job Centers offer a wide variety of programs and courses to provide workers and unemployed workers the training needed to advance in their careers. These trainings include:

Career 101- Training for basic workplace skills, ACT Workkeys assessment.

National Career Readiness Certificate used for screening, hiring and promotion, as well as for fulfilling training needs for existing employees which validates reading, mathematics, and locating information skills for specific occupations.

On-the-Job Training- for many high demand occupations is available in a classroom setting.

WorkReadyMissouri- helps job seekers who are receiving unemployment insurance connect with businesses and organizations looking for skilled workers.

Job Corps- is a free education and training program that helps young people learn a career, earn a high school diploma or High school equivalency, and find and keep a good job. Job Corps provides the all-around skills needed to succeed in a career and in life.