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 (MJC) is to promote and expand their use of short-term training for stackable credentials, licenses, or certifications by working with employers promoting on-the-job training (OJT), Missouri Registered Apprenticeship Programs, and customized training. MJCs partner with area colleges and technical schools to provide career pathways resulting in postsecondary diplomas, certificates, and/or 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 postsecondary 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 postsecondary 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) will ensure all Missouri students graduate ready for success. DESE will provide all students access to a broad range of high-quality educational opportunities from early learning into post-high school engagement. DESE is focusing on the following initiatives:

• Increase advanced course opportunities through virtual learning             
• Increase equitable access to high-quality early learning opportunities     
• Expand career and technical education (CTE) programs aligned to specified career pathways or career clusters such as health science, information technology, marketing, manufacturing, etc.
• Improve charter school sponsor evaluation    
• Improve support and services to schools that will further opportunities for all students through development and implementation of the Missouri School Improvement Program 6 (MOSIP).
                   
  Within DESE, the Skilled Technical Sciences of the Office of College and Career Readiness continues to support the development of students to receive postsecondary credentials. For the last three years, all 57 area career centers and colleges have been encouraged to develop work-based learning opportunities. Many educational institutions have internships and/or registered apprenticeships.
                   
  One successful initiative has been the development of registered apprenticeships at the area career centers. Students who are at least age 16 can apply for a registered apprenticeship during the summer after their junior year of high school. A registered apprenticeship is usually considered an option after high school graduation, but an early start is good for education and for business. Schools that add a registered apprenticeship program to an approved CTE program receive points toward MOSIP, which drives their accreditation with DESE.
                   
  In addition, the Office of College and Career Readiness has promoted industry-recognized credentials at the high school level that are either equal to or lead to a postsecondary credential. Students who attain these credentials are ready for the world of work, and their school district will receive points for MOSIP and school accreditation with the DESE.
                   
  Dual credit is another strategy that will aide in improving access to postsecondary credentials. Missouri high school students have the opportunity to add dual credit courses to high school studies. Dual credit courses provide high school students an opportunity to experience college-level coursework and to receive, simultaneously, both high school and college level credit. Providing dual credit to high school students not only works 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 students 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 Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development guidelines as credit in college courses subject to transfer between public and independent institutions in Missouri. College credit that is earned through dual credit courses offered in high schools shall be applicable toward associate and/or baccalaureate degree requirements and shall be eligible for transfer. In Missouri, this occurs in all CTE programs including Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Family and Consumer Sciences, Skilled Technical Sciences, Technology and Engineering, and Marketing and Cooperative Education. 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 and Literacy
   
  Title II, Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) is located within DESE. In addition to direct relationships with postsecondary institutions as service providers, AEL is able to partner with CTE and other programs within DESE’s Office of College and Career Readiness. This allows AEL programs to stay on the cutting edge of career, technical, and postsecondary opportunities throughout the state and direct all students to appropriate programs. Adult basic, secondary, and English language students are often co-enrolled in postsecondary education or training which boosts them along their career pathway as they gain basic skills needed to be productive workers, family members, and citizens. By offering education and training opportunities concurrently and contextually with workforce preparation, AEL works with partners to ensure postsecondary success for its students.
                   
  Community Services Block Grant
                   
  Community Action Agencies (CAAs) provide various services that assist those seeking postsecondary 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
   
  SkillUP providers assess and assist individuals in creating employability plans with career pathways that lead to non-dependency on government benefits. The focus is assistance and short-term training programs that lead to rapid attachment to work. Following the assessment, participants have the opportunity to receive accreditations in many high demand fields; CDL-A Professional Truck Driving, HVAC Operation, Community Health Work, Medical Assistants, Patient Care Technicians, Welding, Manufacturing Technician, Human Resources, IT Support Technician, IT Data Cable Installation, Certified Nursing Assistants, Certified Medical Technicians, Pharmacy Technician, Phlebotomy Technician, Technical Skills certification, and Warehousing Logistics. SkillUP providers engage with local apprenticeships to create partnerships to allow clients to participate in these opportunities.
                   
  Missouri Work Assistance (MWA)
   
  MWA continues to provide employment and training services to the declining Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) population. As this population has very limited financial resources and often has a long history of poverty, the strategies often include resolving multiple barriers through long- and short-term planning, training, employability skills, and supportive services. Participants complete an Individual Employment Plan (IEP) providing a personalized roadmap to care for their families and themselves and are assigned a dedicated career specialist to assist in developing the plan. Assessment results lead to being placed in one of the following activities: employment, vocational education, skills training, high school diploma or GED classes, job readiness training, or job search. MWA will continue to work with the area schools and colleges increasing apprenticeships and developing partnerships with area employers who provide educational assistance to their employees.
                   
  Workforce Development and Preparation
                   
  MJCs 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:         

• WorkKeys Curriculum- to help individuals build the essential career-relevant skills needed for learning, personal development, and effective job performance. This curriculum aligns with the WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate® assessments so customers are prepared to take the assessments and get the best score possible.
• ACT WorkKeys Assessments and ACT National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC)- These assessments measure foundational skills required for success in the workplace and measure a range of hard and soft skills relevant to any occupation. Successful completion of WorkKeys core assessments (Applied Math, Workplace Documents, and Graphic Literacy) can lead to earning an ACT WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate™ (ACT WorkKeys NCRC®)—a credential that verifies the skills found to be most essential across industries and occupations. Tens of thousands of employers recognize the value of the NCRC, and many recommend the credential to candidates.

• On-the-job training for many high-demand occupations is available.

• Job Corps is a free educational and vocational training program that helps young people (16-24) 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. 

Since 2016, the Office of Workforce Development (OWD) has greatly expanded and reversed a ten-year downward trend in apprenticeship enrollment. Missouri has invested and coordinated over $12 million of federal funds into the expansion and modernization of registered apprenticeship programs across the state. Missouri recognizes registered apprenticeship and work-based learning as a viable tool for Missourians to obtain college credit and on-the-job learning. Missouri has a large number of students that graduate from high schools with only 51% attending a college or university. This creates large numbers of middle-skilled Missourians available for work with short-term credentials or apprenticeship programs as a practical tool for OWD.  

The investment into Apprenticeship Missouri and programs across the state will continue. Apprenticeship Missouri is leading the effort to increase relevant training through work-based learning, registered apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and Missouri Industry Recognized Credentials.