Missouri Ranked 2nd Highest in Active Apprenticeships Nationally

In Columbia, Missouri, Missouri Governor Mike Parson recognized National Apprenticeship Week. Parson also praised Missourians for pushing the state of Missouri to the second in national ranking for new and completed apprenticeships after reaching 10,000 new Registered Apprenticeships for the 2019 Fiscal Year.

National Apprenticeship Week

With National Apprenticeship Week drawing to a close, Governor Parson has commended Missourians for putting Missouri second in the national ranking of states with new apprenticeships for the Fiscal year 2019 as well as placing Missouri second in the nation for the number of completed apprenticeships in the 2019 Fiscal year.

Missouri reached a 10,000 new Registered Apprenticeships milestone in 2019, bringing Missouri to the ranking of the state with the second-most new apprentices. Missouri also had 3,614 apprenticeships completed in the Fiscal year of 2019.

“Apprenticeships play a critical role in our efforts to develop a workforce that is prepared to meet the demands of the future,” Parson said. “We are proud to be leading the nation in apprenticeships, and we will continue working to increase apprenticeship opportunities, strengthen our workforce, and give Missourians the skills and on-the-job training they need to be successful.” ^[1] Parson then signed Executive Order 19-20 creating the Office of Apprenticeship and Work-Based Learning (OAWBL) within the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development.

2nd Most Apprenticeships

Missouri has 15,189 active apprenticeships currently and 472 registered programs that work with over 3,000 employees. “Establishing the Office of Apprenticeship and Work-Based Learning gives our department a strong foundation from which to continue our efforts to increase apprenticeships in Missouri,” Commissioner of Higher Education Zora Mulligan said. “We are excited for the opportunity to expand and modernize apprenticeships as we strive to help all Missourians get on a path to success.”

“Apprenticeships are a proven way to help Missourians skill-up and meet our workforce needs. We are proud that Governor Parson and his administration acknowledge the success of these programs and are committed to keeping this momentum alive in our state,” Office of Workforce Development Director Mardy Leathers said.