FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 2022
Contact: Katherine Trombetta
417-880-6306 or [email protected]
Public Entities Mark the Start of National Apprenticeship Week
To kick off National Apprenticeship Week, several public entities including CoxHealth, Missouri State University, Springfield Fire Department, and the Department of Workforce Development, joined Springfield Mayor Pro Tem Matt Simpson for a proclamation reading at the Missouri Job Center. National Apprenticeship Week is November 14-20, 2022.
“The registered apprenticeship model has been widely successful in Missouri, and we look to further expand opportunities though our $3 million Apprenticeship Building America grant from the U.S. Department of Labor,” said Ericka Schmeeckle, Interim Director of Workforce Development for the City of Springfield.
“While apprenticeships are often thought of in connection with the skilled trades, apprenticeship opportunities have expanded to many different fields including health care, education and public safety,” Schmeeckle said. “We have apprentice programs up and running with the city’s Fire and Police departments as well as with Missouri State University’s Pathways for Paras program and CoxHealth,” she added.
“The success of the Pathways for Paras apprenticeship program at Missouri State University, to train and certify high quality special education teachers, would not be possible without the support from partners such as the City’s Department of Workforce Development. We are thrilled to collaborate and learn from other public sector workforce initiatives to ensure that the needs of our K-12 schools are met, and that Missouri State University is taking the lead to remedy our Missouri teacher shortage through innovation and partnerships,” said Dr. Reesha Adamson, Assistant Department Head of Counseling, Leadership and Special Education at Missouri State University.
If your organization would like more information on starting a registered apprenticeship program, please contact the Missouri Job Center at 417-887-4343 or visit www.springfieldmo.gov/apprenticeships.
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 on request to individuals with disabilities. MO TTY users may call 800-735-2966 or contact MO Relay at 711.