State Fair Community College is set to receive $1.2 million over four years from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to deliver innovative pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship training programs in its service region.

A press release from State Fair Community College says the DOL awarded $12 million to the Missouri Apprenticeships in Manufacturing Program (MoAMP), which is a nine-member consortium of Missouri community colleges, State Technical College of Missouri and private sector partner, National Institute for Metalworking Skills.

Nationwide, the DOL awarded $183.8 million to 23 academic institutions and consortia with partners.

MoAMP is described as a statewide initiative to improve the ability to deliver innovative pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship training programs. Participants have the opportunity to learn skills and earn credentials or degrees that lead to high-demand entry- and middle-skills occupations in the advanced manufacturing industry.

The Missouri Community College Association (MCCA) and St. Louis Community College, which will act as the grant’s fiscal agent, led the grant-writing effort. SFCC says that state workforce development leaders and workforce investment boards provided extensive input for the grant.

The nine colleges that make up the statewide consortium are State Fair Community College, East Central College (Union), Jefferson College (Hillsboro), Metropolitan Community College (Kansas City), Mineral Area College (Park Hills), Moberly Area Community College, St. Charles Community College, St. Louis Community College, and State Technical College of Missouri (Linn).

“SFCC is excited to work with our partner colleges in providing people the chance to develop their skills and gain knowledge that will qualify them for high-paying, in-demand careers in advanced manufacturing,” said Lori Blalock, SFCC’s director of Apprenticeships. “We will use this funding to build a strong workforce and strengthen economic growth in the communities we serve.”

According to MCCA, advanced manufacturing in Missouri represents 8.6% of total private sector employment, with 202,419 workers across 9,727 establishments in 29 industries.

From 2012-2017, Missouri’s manufacturing employment grew by 17,555.

For more information about SFCC’s Apprenticeship program, call 660-596-7135.

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