Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development

RELEASE: The 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now open! Read more: https://buff.ly/3B5XJih

RELEASE: The Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development hosted the annual Apprenticeship Missouri Summit November 20-21, 2024 at The Millbottom in Jefferson City. MDHEWD continues to prioritize increasing access to the registered apprenticeship pathway through resources, partnerships, and funding opportunities. READ: https://buff.ly/3OlKQ72

It's the perfect time to pursue an amazing career with MDHEWD!? If you're ready to make a meaningful impact and grow alongside dedicated colleagues, check out this and other exciting opportunities we have to offer! APPLY: https://buff.ly/3YrKa5L

? National Apprenticeship Week? Registered Apprenticeship is a proven workforce solution for recruiting, training, and retaining top talent and can serve as a viable pathway for women looking to enter high-quality career pathways. The top Registered Apprenticeship occupations employing women in Missouri include: Corrections Officers, Education (Teachers Aide, K-12 Teacher, Early Childhood Educator), and Healthcare (Direct Support Specialists, Nurse Assistant, and Registered Nurse). To date, 16.82% of Missouri’s apprentices are female, an increase of over 8% since the Department’s expansion efforts began in 2019. Looking for an apprenticeship opportunity? Please visit the Missouri Apprentice Connect portal to find registered apprenticeship careers currently accepting applications: https://buff.ly/4euj3LW.

? National Apprenticeship Week? Did you know Missouri has 37 Registered Youth Apprenticeship programs in direct connection with school districts and career and technical education centers across the state? These programs provide Missouri’s youth and young adults with immediate access to hands-on learning and education in a variety of career pathways. Fort Zumwalt School District serves as a program sponsor and has over 40 active apprentices in a variety of occupations including machinist/machine operator, production technologist, health support specialist, and more. Check out these three success stories, highlighting Missouri’s youth in different apprenticeship career pathways: https://buff.ly/3UJZJn9. #FZSD #Youthapprenticeship #NAW2024 Patrick Brown Andy McHaffie

? National Apprenticeship Week? Today we are highlighting emerging industries! One of Missouri’s top emerging industries for registered apprenticeship is healthcare. More than 3.5% of Missouri’s apprentices are in critical occupations including Registered Nurse, Certified Nurse Assistant, Emergency Medical Technicians, Medical and Dental Assistants, and Medical Laboratory Technicians. Learn, grow, and contribute to a field that truly makes a difference in people's lives. Interested in learning more? Visit: https://buff.ly/3MR7piZ or contact us at [email protected].

Thank you, Governor Mike Parson, for declaring November 17-23 to be National Apprenticeship Week. Our focus this week is to raise awareness of the vital role registered apprenticeship plays to the people of Missouri by allowing them to earn while they learn and preparing a pathway to good, quality jobs and well-paying careers. Registered Apprenticeship programs are uniquely able to meet the changing demands of the Missouri economy and provide a path for all qualified individuals, including women, youth, people of color, rural communities, justice involved individuals, and people with disabilities. Together we are empowering Missourians with the education and skills needed to succeed.

This week's trendsights center on the Biosciences Industry and the Cost of Living for Third Quarter 2024. Missouri had the sixth lowest cost of living in the United States for the third quarter in 2024. READ: https://buff.ly/48U9jJK

Missouri's economic prosperity is intricately linked to the attainment of postsecondary education, with 60% of Missouri's jobs requiring education beyond high school and 20% necessitating a bachelors degree or higher. MDHEWD is resolute in its pursuit of equity, recognizing historical disparities, and plans to close attainment gaps for Black, Hispanic, and rural adults. The new Missouri Adult Learner Strategic Plan "60 For All", outlines what it will take to reach Missouri's goals for adult learners, including increasing postsecondary enrollment, facilitating credential attainment, enhancing workforce competitiveness, and overall building a better quality of life for Missourians. Help us share information and drive excitement around the ALN by following us on LinkedIn: https://buff.ly/4e3atUA - Because this is a new initiative, gaining support and recognition will help increase involvement and build support for change! Want to be involved? Contact Samantha Dickey at [email protected] READ THE FULL REPORT: https://buff.ly/40HgmDw

The Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant opens doors for an entire segment of the population to get training needed to participate meaningfully in the Missouri workforce. The grant is a financial aid program that addresses workforce needs by encouraging adults to pursue a certificate, degree, or industry-recognized credential in an area designated as high need. The Fast Track application is available electronically in the State Financial Aid Portal: https://buff.ly/3MWrdS4