The Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development (MDHEWD) was honored at the ACT Workforce Summit in Atlanta, Georgia in October for its outstanding efforts in workforce development. Among the highlights, Moniteau and Cooper counties were celebrated for maintaining their Certified Work Ready Community (CWRC) status in the past year.
Moniteau Presiding Commissioner Joe Lutz and 2nd District Commissioner Jerry Volkart recently accepted the Work Ready Community Award on behalf of Moniteau County. In Cooper County, Presiding Commissioner George Monk, Eastern District Commissioner Charlie Melkersman, and Western District Commissioner Danny Larm accepted the award for their county’s accomplishments.
Moniteau Presiding Commissioner Joe Lutz (right) and 2nd District Commissioner Jerry Volkart accept Work Ready Community Award for Moniteau County.
Missouri currently leads the nation with 99 Certified Work Ready Communities and 112 communities actively working toward certification.
“The ACT Work Ready Communities initiative helps local businesses find and hire qualified employees while Missourians seek quality jobs in their localities, ensuring strong local workforces across the state,” said Dr. Bennett Boggs, Commissioner of MDHEWD. “The partnerships formed among employers, educators, and workforce leaders in the 112 participating counties continue to create ample employment opportunities and build a strong economy in Missouri.”
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By participating in the ACT CWRC initiative, these communities identify skill gaps, quantify workforce skill levels, and work closely with educators to build career pathways that align with business and industry needs.
“Our goal is to reach 100 percent participation and 100 percent certification,” said Julie Carter, Director of the Office of Workforce Development. “The progress we have made in the past year shows we are well on our way toward attaining those goals.”
To achieve CWRC certification, counties must secure support from local businesses and ensure that their workforce earns ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificates (NCRCs). These certificates validate that individuals possess the essential work skills needed for success in today’s job market.
Way to go, Central Region!
For more information about Certified Work Ready Communities and how to get involved, visit the MDHEWD website.