JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Community College Association (MCCA) is proud to announce that in its fifth year, the Missouri Apprenticeships in Manufacturing Program (MoAMP) has exceeded its targets. The grant-funded program, which aimed to engage 5,000 participants and 136 employers, has surpassed expectations. To date, 5,335 participants and 146 employers have been participating, and the program continues to grow.
The MoAMP grant-funded program, initiated in July 2019 and set to conclude in June 2024, is a joint effort by a consortium of 8 Missouri Community Colleges and the State Technical College of Missouri. With funding from the U.S. Department of Labor, the program’s mission is to prepare students for tomorrow’s workplace by developing apprenticeship training programs that will lead to high-demand occupations in the advanced manufacturing industry.
St. Louis Community College Chancellor, Dr. Jeffrey Pittman, expressed enthusiasm about the program. “The College CEOs and I are excited that the MoAMP grant program was able to rebound from the pandemic and continue to train so many workers to move into the manufacturing sector,” said Pittman.
According to a 2023 manufacturing brief from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, Missouri’s manufacturing sector is a critical component of the state’s economy, representing 11.6% of private sector employment and employing 282,255 Missourians across 7,636 establishments. In 2022, Missouri also exported more than $14 billion in manufacturing products to global markets, demonstrating the importance of a well-trained and skilled workforce in this industry.
Apprenticeships are the foundation of the MoAMP grant-funded program. Registered Apprenticeships provide a fully customizable, employer-driven training model that benefits both employers and workers. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employers experience an average $1.47 increase in productivity for every dollar invested in an apprentice. Furthermore, national statistics reveal a retention rate of over 95% for employees who complete an apprenticeship program.
“Connecting the students directly to job opportunities with real-world experience is a key part of the program,” said MCCA President and CEO Brian Millner. “These experiences are a critical part of the learning process and ensure that the students are ready for a job with that employer or other manufacturers.”
With the success of the MoAMP grant-funded program, MCCA anticipates that its impact on participants and employers alike will be felt for years to come. The program’s commitment to helping Missourians succeed in the manufacturing industry will leave a lasting impression and has already changed many lives for the better.
For more information about the MoAMP grant-funded program, please visit https://mccamoamp.com/.