FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2022
Contact: Katherine Trombetta
417-880-6306 or
[email protected]
Department of Workforce Development Receives LEAP Award
The City’s Department of Workforce Development, located at the Missouri Job Center, has been recognized by the Missouri Association of Workforce Development with a Local Excellence in Partnership Award at their annual conference in Branson. This annual conference brings together workforce development professionals and vendors from across Missouri.
The LEAP Award was presented for the department’s work in establishing the Art @ Work program. This innovative program is a partnership between the Department of Workforce Development, Springfield Public Schools, Missouri State University and the Springfield Art Museum, and teaches fourth grade students about careers through art projects.
“Students work in teams to build soft skills while creating artwork that has an emphasis on career exploration,” said Sally Payne, Director of Workforce Development. “We are working with fourth graders at Title 1 schools who may have limited exposure to art, and we are excited to kick off the program at Bingham Elementary in the fall,” Payne added.
The program is slated to run for the 2022-2023 school year. As part of the initiative, students will be able to visit the Art Museum and tour the Missouri Job Center. The program is partially funded through a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts.
For media requests, contact Communications Coordinator Katherine Trombetta at 417-880-6306 or [email protected]
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The Missouri Job Center is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services available to individuals with disabilities. MO TTY users may call 800-735-2966 or contact MO Relay at 711.