Nixon announces work force development program
St. Joe News
May 4, 2009
Gov. Jay Nixon announced a program Friday that could get thousands of Missouri students introduced to more high-tech, high-paying careers.
Missouri’s Next-Generation Jobs Team is a summer employment program to help youths, ages 16 to 24, obtain summer internships and work experience at cutting-edge employers across the state.“We need skills today for jobs for the future,” Mr. Nixon said.
The governor said he has plans to get Missouri’s job situation turned around. The program will be funded through the U.S. Department of Labor, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Mr. Nixon spoke to community leaders and staff at Heartland Regional Medical Center and toured the Human Motion Institute, one of the areas that might be impacted by the new youth program. Mentors with the Missouri Department of Economic Development’s local Workforce Investment Boards will help the students identify career fields of interest and place them with the appropriate employers.
Heartland is one of St. Joseph’s largest employers, with 3,300 workers.
“It is a constant challenge to fill that work force,” said Charlie Shields, president pro tem of the Missouri Senate.
Mr. Shields said the Next-Generation Jobs Team program is a great partner for the already existing Stepping Stones program at Heartland.
“Bring in young students, introduce them to the Stepping Stones program to help pay for their college and then bring them back on as an employee after graduation,” he said.
Mr. Nixon also visited Eagle Picher Technologies in Joplin, Mo. The company, which produces the lithium-ion batteries used to power the International Space Station, has also signed up as an employer to participate in the Next-Generation program. There are at least six other employers already joining the program.
“Our job is to build a new work force,” Mr. Nixon said. “This is serious business we’re in.”
Individuals and employers interested in participating in Next-Generation can apply by visiting www.mo.gov. |