“With Franklin Apprenticeships as a partner, we are increasing the number of employers participating and engaging in apprenticeship programs," said Mardy Leathers, State Director of Workforce Development.
BALTIMORE (PRWEB) April 08, 2019
Franklin Apprenticeships, a firm dedicated to helping businesses solve skilled labor shortages, communities attract workforce talent, and individuals develop middle skills career pathways through apprenticeship, has been working with the State of Missouri since the summer of 2018 to develop one of the first blueprints of a modernized apprenticeship program in the U.S.
With an ever-widening talent gap across many of its sectors, since 2016 the state of Missouri has made a strong commitment to help its students, graduates and displaced workers achieve sustainable careers.
Missouri has been actively working to increase the education and skill levels of its citizens, enhance the state’s competitiveness in attracting new investment/ business growth, and increasing the number of Missourians completing high quality non-traditional, middle skills focused apprenticeships.
With the addition of Franklin Apprenticeships as a key partner to bring on additional employers, Missouri is creating a blueprint that other states can use as a cost-effective workforce solution. Franklin Apprenticeships brings to the state expertise and a proven model developed over 15 years and used to support over 7,500 IT apprentices a year, as well as expertise in program execution for other non-traditional apprenticeship roles.
Since taking an aggressive approach to its apprenticeship programs, the state has increased the expansion of apprenticeship programs incrementally over the past 2 years, and has continued to increase the number of apprentices in Missouri. Since October 2016, 1,860 new apprentices have entered the system.
“At near record-low unemployment, workforce development became a critical issue in the State of Missouri for employers,” said Mardy Leathers, State Director of Workforce Development. “With Franklin Apprenticeships as a partner, we are increasing the number of employers participating and engaging in apprenticeship programs. These programs help fill the jobs Missouri employers need to improve productivity and innovation and provide opportunities for Missourians to learn in-demand skills. It’s cost-effective for the state making it a win-win situation for everyone.”
Missouri is also unique in that it uses discretionary money toward its apprenticeship programs, which further highlights the state’s commitment to increasing employment in the state.
“With employers lacking qualified applicants, as well as displaced workers and students looking for viable careers, we were engaged to bring employers to the table to address the local economic needs of Missouri and develop a skilled workforce,” said Kimberly Nichols, CEO and Co- Founder, Franklin Apprenticeships. “By using apprenticeships as a cost-effective workforce solution, our high-quality programs provide Missouri with skilled, long-term employees that help the state thrive. Our proven framework is also a blueprint that other states can implement that face similar challenges.”
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About Franklin Apprenticeships
Franklin Apprenticeships is igniting a movement. We offer the strategy, tools, and support network to help shape a re-imagined Apprenticeship system. Working in partnership with Educators, Businesses, Families, and Economic and Workforce Development Agencies, Franklin Apprenticeships is the first US-based firm dedicated solely to delivering on the promise for modernization of US Apprenticeship Programs.