JEFFERSON CITY — Governor Mike Kehoe signed a proclamation designating April 30 as Apprenticeship Day in Missouri, a time to spotlight the mutual benefits registered apprenticeships present to both job seekers and employers and the concrete footprint apprenticeships leave on the state’s workforce and economy. Missouri is one of the top states in the nation for registered apprenticeships, ranking second for completed apprenticeships, third in the number of new apprentices, and third in the number of active apprentices.
“Missouri recognizes that Registered Apprenticeship, a proven and industry-driven training model, is a key strategy to improving job quality and creating access to well-paying, family-sustaining jobs,” Governor Kehoe said in his proclamation. “Registered Apprenticeship programs provide access to an expanded workforce while addressing some of our state’s pressing workforce challenges, such as rebuilding vital infrastructure, addressing critical supply chain demands, modernizing cybersecurity response, and recruiting qualified candidates in high-demand fields, such as teaching and early-childhood education.”
Registered apprenticeship combines on-the-job training with professional instruction, allowing participants to gain necessary industry skills while earning a wage. It also allows businesses to craft a talent pipeline, providing increased opportunities to upskill incoming employees to meet the workforce demands of the future.
There are currently 22,033 active registered apprentices in Missouri learning to become experts in various industries and occupations, including building trades, public safety, education, information technology, and health care. The Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development continues to prioritize increasing access to the registered apprenticeship pathway through resources, partnerships, and funding opportunities.
“Apprenticeships are an opportunity for Missourians to earn a wage while in training, ultimately opening a pathway for advancement in their desired careers and sustainability for themselves and their families,” said Julie Carter, Director of the Office of Workforce Development. “We are committed to generating more apprenticeship opportunities in Missouri to meet the demand for highly trained and highly skilled workers, both now and in the future.”
To learn more about apprenticeships and apprenticeship opportunities in Missouri, visit moapprenticeconnect.com and dhewd.mo.gov/workforce-development/apprenticeship-mo.
About the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development: The department works to empower Missourians with the skills and education needed for success. More information about MDHEWD can be found at https://dhewd.mo.gov or by following MDHEWD’s social media accounts.