New Apprenticeship Grant Will Help Businesses Train Area Employees

Thanks to a grant from the Missouri Department of Workforce Development, East Central College will be able to help local businesses train dozens of highly-skilled workers through the Missouri Registered Apprenticeship program (MORAP).

ECC’s Center for Workforce Development will receive $239,550 to develop apprenticeship programs with area manufacturers including Aerofil Industries, ATRO Engineering Systems, Clemco Industries, Graphic Packaging, G.H. Tool and Mold, Homeyer Precision and Texwrap Packaging Systems.

MORAP is designed to provide workers with on-the-job training at their current employer, in addition to classroom and hands-on training through one of three ECC programs; Industrial Engineering Technology, Precision Machining or Welding.

“ECC is in the position to provide the state-of-the-art training for our area,” says Joel Doepker, Vice President of External Relations. “We are fortunate to have the state recognize the importance of retaining and training a vibrant workforce.”

Participants will have the opportunity to complete a certificate or degree at East Central College.

“We’re fortunate to have an opportunity for our employees to sharpen their workforce training skills,” says Karen Dierking, human resources manager at Homeyer Industries in Marthasville, “and having our employees complete their apprenticeship in a short amount of time is important to maintain our workflow and projects.”

Employees in the program will complete classroom and lab work outside normal working hours. As a condition of the grant, each will receive an increase in their compensation once they complete the program.

“Apprenticeships develop a higher performing workforce with the skills our company needs,” says Dave Graves, president of G.H. Tool and Mold in Washington. “We believe our employees will feel valued with this investment in their skills.”

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, for every dollars spent on apprenticeships, employers receive $1.47 in increased productivity and greater front-line innovation.

The ECC Center for Workforce Development is housed in the Business and Industry Center at East Central College. The Center works with nearly 50 area businesses to develop workforce training programs with business and industry throughout the ECC service region.