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2 Year Modification

Plan: Missouri PYs 2022-2023 (Mod)
Combined Plan C

Section: WIOA State Plan Common Elements

Narrative: III. a. 2. E.

Published
Located in:
  • III. Operational Planning Elements

    The Unified or Combined State Plan must include an Operational Planning Elements section that supports the State’s strategy and the system-wide vision described in Section II(c) above.  Unless otherwise noted, all Operational Planning Elements apply to Combined State Plan partner programs included in the plan as well as to core programs.  This section must include—

    • a. State Strategy Implementation

      The Unified or Combined State Plan must include–

      • 2. Implementation of State Strategy

        Describe how the lead State agency with responsibility for the administration of each core program or a Combined Plan partner program included in this plan will implement the State’s Strategies identified in Section II(c). above. This must include a description of—

III. a. 2. E. Partner Engagement with Educational Institutions

Describe how the State’s Strategies will engage the State’s community colleges and area career and technical education schools, as partners in the workforce development system to create a job-driven education and training system. WIOA section 102(b)(2)(B)(iv).

View corresponding narrative from PYs 2020-2023

Current Narrative:

Education will be the key for successfully implementing career pathway programs within each region’s identified sectors. Using leveraged resources and labor market data, the workforce system, which include business and education, will build upon current programs and create new strategies to provide training for individuals to find employment in their communities with opportunities for growth.  

Currently, core, combined state plan, and required partners have independent relationships with education partners. Through sector strategy initiatives and further asset mapping, Missouri intends to create educational pathways that can be seamlessly promoted through the one-stop delivery system. Using strategies which focus on customer service, sector strategies and career pathways, business leaders, Career and Technical Education (CTE) and community college partners collaborate to create accessible training programs that meet the needs of businesses and provide customers with work-based learning. Examples include:

 

  • Community Services Block Grant (CSBG): Community Action Agencies (CAAs) have partnerships with community colleges and technical schools throughout the state. Partnerships provide educational opportunities, either through direct access to classroom instruction or collaborations with life skills classes that increase participants’ capacities to attain educational goals. Many partnerships have formal Memorandums of Understanding delineating responsibilities of each party.
  • The Department of Social Services (DSS) Work and Community Programs has educational partnerships with community colleges through the Missouri Community College Association. The community colleges offer services to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients enrolled in the SkillUP program as well as participants enrolled in the MWA program. Each MWA region works locally with their educational institutions to develop programs that respond to the needs in their area. This includes the colleges providing additional class times or creating classes to meet the needs. The DSS Work and Community Programs also has partnerships with 67 Missouri high schools that provide the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program. In August of 2021, 17 new JAG programs were added across 12 Missouri schools. In addition, the DSS Work and Community Programs has a close working relationship with the four Excel Centers (adult high schools), located in St. Louis, Springfield, Columbia, and Poplar Bluff, where any Missourian over the age of 21 may enroll to receive their high school diploma while receiving career, life, and college counseling. 
  • OWD collaborates with CTE to identify in-demand occupations which are then shared with the area career and technical schools to ensure that training needs match employer expectations.
  • OWD’s director serves on the Career and Technical Education’s Advisory Council. This allows OWD to provide input, consultation, and guidance regarding the delivery of CTE services and on the development of their state plan.
  • OWD has engaged career and technical schools, community colleges, United Auto Workers, AFL-CIO, and employers to partner and develop pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeship programs. Examples are in advanced manufacturing and diesel mechanics. This partnership with education, labor, and employers ensures job-driven education and training systems.
  • Title II local AEL service providers must employ a designated staff person as their student advocate. These specialized team members connect students with combined and required partners, local employers, and postsecondary institutions. Upon enrollment into AEL, local programs must communicate services provided by Missouri Job Centers (MJC) and other combined partners to all students and make referrals where appropriate. Co-location with WIOA partners is the most efficient conduit for referral; however, all local AEL programs must have a referral system when co-location is not possible. Thirty-five percent of Missouri’s AEL service providers are community colleges providing a direct pipeline to postsecondary education for students.

In 2019, the Division of Workforce Development merged with the Department of Higher Education creating the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, Office of Workforce Development. The newly created department continues to closely align training and education and ensure cohesive customer support for the job seeker and the business.

Missouri passed legislation to support postsecondary education for adults. The Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant is a program that supports working adults with an income of $40,000 or less, or $80,000 or less when filing jointly, in completing an associate or bachelor’s degree for in-demand occupations. Individuals have to meet other eligibility requirements and must be at least 25 years old or have not been enrolled in an educational program the two previous years; have not already earned a bachelor’s degree; must reside in Missouri and be a U.S. citizen; and cannot have a defaulted student loan. This investment in the adult population will increase Missouri’s workforce availability and productivity. 

OWD engages and supports Missourians through relevant training and apprenticeship programs with community colleges and career and technical education schools. Missouri has increased the number of apprenticeship programs by 56% over the last three years.