FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 21, 2009
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon launches Next-Generation Jobs Team during visit to alternative energy leader, Associated Electric Cooperative
Summer jobs program to connect more than 3,000 Missouri youth with on-the-job training, mentoring for 21st century careers
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Across Missouri, high school and college students are getting ready for summer. But under a program announced today by Gov. Jay Nixon, thousands of these young Missourians will spend the summer learning the skills they’ll need for the careers of tomorrow, not sitting on the couch at home.
Gov. Jay Nixon today visited Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. in Springfield, a leader in the use of wind and other alternative forms of energy, to launch the Missouri Next-Generation Jobs Team, a summer employment program that will prepare Missouri youth to compete for and excel in the high-tech, high-paying careers of the 21st century.
The Next-Generation Jobs Team will help match 3,000 to 5,000 Missouri youth, ages 16 to 24, with summer internships and work experiences at cutting-edge employers across the state. Mentors with the Missouri Department of Economic Development’s local Workforce Investment Boards will help youth identify career fields of interest and place young people with appropriate employers in the area. The young Missourians will then spend the summer gaining on-the-job training and work experience, along with continued guidance and support from professional career counselors. Wages for the young workers will be funded by the U.S. Department of Labor through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
“To create new jobs and turn this economy around, we must ensure that Missouri has highly trained, highly skilled workers who are ready to compete for the careers of tomorrow,” Gov. Nixon said. “Our Next-Generation Jobs Team will help young Missourians identify emerging careers in high-growth, high-tech industries, and they’ll spend a summer gaining experience that will give them a leg up on the competition. At the same time, we’ll help Missouri employers develop a pool of talent here in our state to meet their needs for educated and qualified workers. I encourage young Missourians and employers alike to take advantage of this opportunity to build the workforce that will lead our economy into the future.”
Young Missourians and employers can apply to become part of the program by visiting the state home page, www.mo.gov, and clicking on the Next-Generation Jobs Team graphic. There is no fee to apply for or participate in the program. Applications from students and businesses will be forwarded to local Workforce Investment Boards, where counselors will connect youth and potential employers.
Already, next-generation employers from across Missouri are lining up to be a part of this program, including Associated Electric Cooperative, the wholesale power supplier for six regional and 39 local electric cooperatives in Missouri; Analytical Bio-Chemistry (ABC) Laboratories, a cutting-edge manufacturer of human and animal pharmaceuticals in Columbia; Burns & McDonnell, a leading sustainable design and engineering firm in Kansas City; BJC Health System in St. Louis, one of the largest health care providers in the state; and other utility companies and electrical cooperatives across the state. Additionally, industry and trade groups, including the Missouri Hospital Association and the Missouri Biotechnology Association, are working closely with the Division of Workforce Development to recruit employers for the program.
“Associated Electric has a history of supporting internships and working with school districts and colleges to prepare students for the work force,” said Dave Stump, director of Human Resources at Associated Electric Cooperative. “We have high expectations of our employees to help meet the complex generation, environmental and transmission issues facing our industry”
“In addition to the fourth Missouri wind farm we announced last week, it takes a mix of resources to meet a growing need for affordable and reliable electricity for our member cooperatives,” Stump said. “Technology will be key. We look forward to connecting with young, fresh minds and drawing on the energy and enthusiasm of Missouri youth to apply technology to find the energy solutions Missouri needs for the 21st century.”
Gov. Nixon encouraged young Missourians and potential employers to submit their applications as soon as possible by visiting www.mo.gov and clicking through to the Next-Generation Jobs Team site.
“Summer’s almost here, and we’re ready to get this program up and running,” Gov. Nixon said. “Young Missourians should move quickly to take advantage of this opportunity to jumpstart their careers.”
To learn more about employers who are joining the Next-Generation Jobs Team across the state, Missourians should contact their local Workforce Investment Boards. Contact information for these offices is available at: Missouri Workforce Investment Boards
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