FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For information:
Clyde McQueen 816.471.2330 or cmcqueen@feckc.org
Full Employment Council Launches Workforce 21 Project
Organization nurtures talent and careers in high growth, good paying jobs
Kansas City, MO (March 21, 2007) – Upon recognizing the evolving needs of business and industry in the Kansas City region, the Full Employment Council/Missouri Career Center launched an innovative tool to assist in creating careers for Kansas Citians and a skilled workforce. The Workforce 21 Project was launched by the Full Employment Council/Missouri Career Center (FEC/MCC) in partnership with the Eastern Jackson County Workforce Investment Board and the Kansas City and Vicinity Workforce Investment Board.
The Workforce 21 Project was created in response to the increasing demand for a knowledge-based workforce with the talent necessary to compete in a global economy. Because twenty-first century job seekers will require both educational and program support while in training, more thorough assessment and career planning will be used to help identify and develop their workforce skills. These supports must be combined with local, regional and real-time data concerning the present and future availability of careers. This data will be linked with real time dialogue with employers.
“Workforce 21 will empower the region in being more responsive in developing a workforce with globally competitive talent,” said Clyde McQueen, Full Employment Council President and CEO. “Often, the training of job seekers and its connection with employer workforce needs are frequently not aligned. Increased utilization of open entry/open exit and demand based training will bridge this system gap.”
The Full Employment Council/Missouri Career Centers will also bridge the gap of reading and math literacy skills by youth and adults by initiating additional training whereby remedial coursework is performed simultaneously with vocational skills training and with employer based career exploration. McQueen added, “Those persons functioning below grade level will be motivated to improve their basic skills if they are involved in training for a twenty-first century career.”
The employer focus of this initiative has lead to the formation of a Regional Business Retention Council that links eight economic development corporations in five Mo. counties (Jackson, Clay, Platte, Cass, Ray) that have established business retention and expansion as a major priority. The Regional Business Retention Council will utilize technology featuring an early warning network system that businesses whose status is considered at risk or contemplating expansion.
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Workforce 21 Project sponsors include US Department of Labor Wired Program; Missouri Department of Economic Development, Division of Workforce Development; the City of Kansas City Missouri; Kansas City Chiefs Football Club; and Kansas City Royals Baseball Club. Additional corporate sponsorships are available for organizations interested in particular occupations or industries.
All inquires about the Workforce 21 Project, may contact the Workforce 21 Coordinator, at the following locations.
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Platte County: 11724 NW Plaza Circle, Suite 500 Kansas City, MO 64153 (816) 464-4620/4612 Hours: 8 AM to 5 PM Monday - Friday
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Kansas City: |
Clay County:
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WORKFORCE 21 SCHOLARSHIP PROJECT
FACT SHEET
Workforce 21 Scholarship. During the next three years the FEC/Missouri Career Center will offer more than 500 non-income based, competitive scholarships for persons interested in training for or upgrading their skills in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, bioscience, construction. In addition there will be another 600 targeted scholarship for dislocated workers, and low income youth/adults. Applicants will receive:
Persons who are training in new fields can receive internships to gain actual work experience in their new career field. Scholarship amounts may average $3,000, and support awards can equal up to $1,500 dependent upon training term.
Workforce 21Target Scholarships. More than 600 Target scholarships are reserved for job seekers who have been laid off, low income youth, unemployed, low income or other special target job seeker. In addition to focus areas outlined in Workforce 21 Scholarships, applicants can also pursue occupations in target business services, energy/utilities, finance, technology, and other occupations which have demonstrated workforce demand and employment potential in the One KC region with high wages. Scholarship amounts may average $4,000 with a ceiling of $6,000. Work support awards are based upon need.
Workforce 21 Assessment Systems/Incumbent Worker Training. Employers will be provided more advanced job seeker assessment systems and screened electronic job seeker referrals by the Workforce 21 Scholarship Strategy. Participating employers will have a Workforce 21 Employment/ Training strategy that will identify actions that the FEC/MCC will use in providing service. $100,000 has been made available for those employers interested in providing up/grade retraining for staff leading to higher wages or positions inclined to advancement. Ultimately, this will create an opportunity for the FEC/Missouri Career Center to refer or train person for vacant position.
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About the Full Employment Council/Missouri Career Centers
The Full Employment Council operates four Missouri Career Centers on behalf of the Eastern Jackson County and Kansas City & Vicinity Workforce Investment Boards and provides workforce services in Kansas City as well as Jackson, Clay, Platte, Cass, and Ray counties. The FEC works in collaboration with business, local units of government, educational institutions, organized labor and community-based organizations. This partnership responds to employer needs while reducing unemployment, underemployment and the public dependency of area residents. For additional information on the FEC/MCC, visit www.feckc.org.