Five workforce training efforts that are expected to serve Missouri counties, including Butler and the surrounding area, will receive more than $10 million in grant money.
The funds have been awarded to help address workforce shortages by recruiting and training residents, Gov. Mike Parson’s office said Tuesday. The five programs are projected to help more than 8,700 workers.
This is part of $30 million to be awarded through the ARPA Workforce Training Grant Program.
“A stronger workforce means a stronger tomorrow, and this program will go a long way in ensuring Missouri workers can meet the demands of the future,” Parson said in a press release.
The ARPA Workforce Training Grant Program, funded through the American Rescue Plan Act, was launched in August 2022. The program awarded competitive grants to a wide range of applicants and will train workers for a variety of industries including child care, health care, broadband deployment, manufacturing, and more, according to Parson’s office. A total of 19 programs expected to target more than 15,000 workers received funding.
The grant is also aimed at helping those who need it most, encouraging recipients to train at-risk and low-income populations, according to Parson.
Recipients that serve seven-county area include (figures approximate):
• BioSTL, which offers training in the manufacture of medications for the health care industry. It will receive $2.1 million and serves more than 40 Missouri counties, including Reynolds and Ripley. This project is expected to benefit 350 workers, according to state documents.
• Codefi Foundation on Rural Innovation, which offers computer programing and framework training. It will receive $1.5 million and servers more than two dozen counties. These include Butler, Dunklin, Reynolds, Ripley, Stoddard and Wayne. This project is expected to benefit 1,500 workers.
• Junior College District of St. Louis, which focuses on workforce expansion for trucking, including CDL-A, CDL-B and hazardous materials handling. They are projected to receive $2.1 million. They serve 11 counties, including Butler and Dunklin. This project is expected to benefit almost 200 workers.
• Missouri Incutech Foundation, offering warehouse, manufacturing and supply chain training. They serve more than a dozen counties, including Butler and Dunklin. The effort will serve 76 workers and receive $1.6 million.
• Practical POCUS LLC, which trains in point of care ultrasound and offers continuing education credits to health care providers, particularly in emergency medicine. The project is set to receive almost $3 million and expected to help 7,000 workers.
Maggie Kost, acting director of the Department Of Economic Development, said the effort will equip real people with job skills that improve their lives.