The chairman of the Missouri House interim committee on workforce innovation, State Rep. Louis Riggs, is leading the charge in examining how to future-proof Missouri’s workforce development pipelines. This crucial issue will be the focus of a hearing scheduled for Tuesday morning at the Statehouse in Jefferson City. The Missouri House Special Interim Committee on Workforce Innovation and Technology will convene at 9:30 am to delve into this important topic.
During the hearing, committee members will have the opportunity to hear testimony from key figures in the field, including Kara Corches, the interim president of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, and Karla Eslinger, the commissioner of the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). These experts will provide valuable insights and perspectives on how best to address the challenges facing Missouri’s workforce development efforts.
One of the primary issues that Chairman Riggs and the committee will address is the existence of training deserts in certain areas of the state. These deserts represent areas where access to quality training and education resources is limited, hindering the development of a skilled workforce. Additionally, the lack of online education resources poses a significant barrier to individuals seeking to enhance their skills and qualifications.
Chairman Riggs also emphasizes the importance of translating regional economic successes to all corners of Missouri, ensuring that every part of the state has access to job opportunities that provide a living wage. He points to the success of the agriculture tech cluster in St. Louis as a model for economic growth that can be replicated in other regions.
Furthermore, Chairman Riggs highlights the critical need to boost funding for community colleges across the state. These institutions play a vital role in providing accessible and affordable education and training programs that are essential for preparing individuals for the workforce. By investing in community colleges, Missouri can strengthen its workforce development efforts and ensure that residents have the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in today’s rapidly evolving job market.
In addition to workforce development issues, the committee will also examine workforce housing issues and the inadequate funding for community colleges. These are key areas that must be addressed to support the growth and prosperity of Missouri’s workforce and economy.
Overall, the hearing scheduled for Tuesday morning represents a significant step towards enhancing Missouri’s workforce development pipelines and ensuring that the state’s residents are well-equipped to meet the demands of the future job market. Chairman Riggs and the committee members are committed to exploring innovative solutions and strategies that will help future-proof Missouri’s workforce and drive economic growth and prosperity statewide.