Ozarks Technical Community College received a $75,000 grant through the U.S. Department of Labor ApprenticeshipUSA State Expansion Grant program this week. The grant, established in partnership with the Missouri Division of Workforce Development, will help the college develop and implement strategies that support the expansion of registered apprenticeship programs.
The funds allow OTC to create a full-time, 16-month apprenticeship specialist position that focuses exclusively on the creation of new registered apprenticeships within the manufacturing and healthcare sectors of the college’s 12-county service region. These sectors were identified as targets due to the high-demand, high-wage jobs available throughout southwest Missouri.
“As we continue to see decreased funds from the state, our ability to receive grants is critical,” said Dr. Hal Higdon, chancellor of Ozarks Technical Community College. “The funds we’ve received from the U.S. Department of Labor are a big win for our students, our region and the economy. Apprenticeships allow our students to earn a salary while learning the skills necessary to succeed in the high-demand careers of healthcare and manufacturing. When these highly skilled workers graduate and enter the workforce, that’s economic development.”
College officials plan to fill the apprenticeship specialist position immediately. The job posting will be listed online at otc.edu/jobs by Friday, Jan. 20. The position will be offered through the college’s Center for Workforce Development division. For more information about the new apprenticeship specialist position, contact Sherry Coker, CWD director of business development, at 417-447-8884 or cokers@otc.edu.
For more information about the Department of Labor’s ApprenticeshipUSA program, visit dol.gov/featured/apprenticeship.