SWI Press Release

For Immediate Release

Release Date: 06-30-06

Contact: Misti Preston (573) 751-9065

Blunt Announces New Worker Training Strategy

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) - Gov. Matt Blunt announced today the award of $7 million in regional workforce grants as part of his new Skilled Workforce Initiative. The program takes a collaborative,performance-based approach to provide targeted workforce development solutions for businesses and workers across Missouri. The Skilled Workforce Initiative will launch 36 innovative projects giving the state another tool in its efforts to recruit and retain good, family supporting jobs.

"Missouri has the best workforce in the world, and this effort will make Missouri workers even more attractive", Blunt said. "Our actions will match the skills and training that potential and existing businesses need to grow, with the Missouri workers who need additional skills and services to be more successful in the workforce."

The Skilled Workforce Initiative is funded through the federal Workforce Investment Act funding and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families High Performance bonus funds. Missouri's 14 Local Workforce Investment Boards (LWIB) administer the funding on behalf of local partnerships in their area. Gov. Blunt praised the strategic alliances that were developed through the initiative, noting that representatives from business and industry, labor, education, social services and workforce and economic development officials all worked together to develop projects. Community partners have joined in supporting this initiative and are contributing over $7.2 million in local resources.

The Skilled Workforce Initiative consists of seven components: One Stop Career Center Enhancements; Regional Skills Gap; Incumbent Worker Skill Shortages; Youth Skill Shortages and Capacity Building; Business Retention Services; Micro Enterprise Training and Support and Community Workforce Solutions for Low Income Populations.

Proposals were competitively solicited from LWIB and scored based on specific criteria: project design and innovation; strategic partnerships; planned performance outcomes and budget sustainability.

Over 102,000 employers and workers, including current and emerging workers will benefit from the support and training services offered under this initiative. It is envisioned that this initiative will help Missourians reduce their dependence on public programs through employment and will prevent crime by addressing unemployment, underemployment and lack of basic workplace readiness.

This initiative will be administered by the Department of Economic Development’s Division of Workforce Development and builds on labor market research and analysis conducted by Missouri's Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC). MERIC provides a variety of workforce information products, including Regional Skills Gap Analysis reports that identify critical labor and skills gaps, enabling stakeholders to better understand and address workforce development challenges.

Attachment with Awards


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