Three higher education institutions in Missouri have been awarded a total of $9.1 million to enhance the state’s manufacturing sector and workforce development, as part of Missouri’s fiscal year 2025 budget. This funding aims to meet the increasing demand for trained engineering and technical students in advanced manufacturing technologies.
Bridging the Manufacturing Critical Skills Gap
The initiative, titled “Bridging the Manufacturing Critical Skills Gap,” is coordinated by the Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) in collaboration with East Central College (ECC) and St. Charles Community College (SCC). Dr. Richard Billo, director of Missouri S&T’s Kummer Institute Center for Advanced Manufacturing, emphasized the critical shortage of skilled labor in the manufacturing sector and the importance of this collaborative effort in developing a qualified workforce.
Funding and Key Components
The initiative is funded through the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development’s MoExcels Workforce Initiative and includes several key components. An advisory board consisting of manufacturing leaders has provided guidance to S&T regarding essential skill sets needed in the industry. In response, S&T plans to update its undergraduate manufacturing curriculum to align with the needs of local manufacturers by incorporating new technologies and equipment.
Engaging Students and Educators
In addition to curricular improvements, S&T will conduct manufacturing summer camps for high school students and offer professional development programs for K-12 educators. The Kummer Center for STEM Education, in collaboration with SCC, will utilize S&T’s STEM Mobile—a mobile educational laboratory—to engage elementary schools statewide, providing hands-on manufacturing experiences to numerous young students.
New Center for Advanced Manufacturing at ECC
ECC is set to construct a new Center for Advanced Manufacturing on its Rolla campus, which will feature modern equipment and instructional spaces. This facility is anticipated to open in late 2025, increasing ECC’s ability to offer certifications and degrees in manufacturing-related fields. Dr. Jon Bauer, president of ECC, noted the significance of this collaborative effort as a model for inter-institutional partnerships within the state.
Outreach Initiatives by SCC
SCC aims to focus its outreach initiatives on rural areas to raise awareness about manufacturing career opportunities. The college also plans to develop a new manufacturing curriculum that emphasizes emerging energy technologies. Dr. Barbara Kavalier, president of SCC, underscored the importance of these initiatives in educating students and contributing to the economic development of Missouri.
About Missouri S&T
Missouri S&T, a member of the four-campus University of Missouri System, serves over 7,000 students and offers a variety of degree programs across different fields. The university is recognized for its strong emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and its favorable return on investment for graduates. Additional information about the university is available on its official website.
(Source: Missouri S&T News)