SFCC’s vital role in COVID-19 recovery and stronger communities The COVID-19 tsunami has left a global high-water mark with far-reaching consequences on the world economy, health services and how Americans live. As the waters of change recede, State Fair Community College and other technical schools will play a vital role in economic recovery and strengthening communities because these institutions can provide immediate and affordable access to training and services that strengthen the workforce.
precision machining and welding and expand other programs such as automation control technology, industrial maintenance, climate, energy and refrigeration control technology (HVAC), advanced manufacturing, robotics, logistics, leadership/ supervisory skills, and apprenticeships. “Now, more than ever, unemployed and under-employed people and businesses and industries need access to affordable, relevant and responsive educational training and services,” said Dr. Anderson. “Our technical programs, The LearningForce’s workforce training, our apprenticeship program, and Small Business Development Center have experienced faculty, staff and resources that will help meet workforce challenges and fuel economic recovery throughout our 14-county service region.” Since 2003, Adient, a manufacturing company in Eldon, has been engaged in Missouri One Start programs administered by State Fair Community College’s The LearningForce. Adient US LLC produces components for the automotive industry and employs high volume precision technologies in the assembly process.
Five Reasons Why Community Colleges Are Key to Our COVID-19 Recovery - www.jff.org
The Policy Leadership Trust, a select group of education leaders, posted a June 2020 article on the Jobs for the Future website (jff.org) titled “Five Reasons Why Community Colleges Are Key to Our COVID-19 Recovery.” The article pointed out that community colleges historically have played important roles in crisis response because they are affordable, offer flexible learning delivery and are connected to local communities and regional economies, which is why “government, communities, and families ought to look to community colleges as engines of recovery.” In December 2019, Governor Mike Parson, SFCC President Dr. Joanna Anderson, the Board of Trustees, and the SFCC Foundation announced the receipt of grant funds from the Missouri Department of Economic Development as part of the Workforce Training Initiative and a donation from the Olen Howard family to help fund construction of the college’s new Olen Howard Workforce Innovation Center. The new center, which is scheduled to open Spring 2022, will more than double the college’s capacity in 8 Alumni and Friends Magazine
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“The training in advanced manufacturing technologies provided by State Fair Community College meets the specific needs for our employees,” said Adient Plant Manager Nick Cline. “State Fair Community College has not only provided the training, but also access to training grants to offset the cost of the training for our workers which is a huge benefit to our company and bottom line.” Because of long-standing relationships with businesses and industry, SFCC’s technical and workforce development programs have the courses and industry certifications to develop talent for current jobs while anticipating future needs. The combination of studies and hands-on learning from faculty with real-world experience is the best recipe for producing a strong workforce. SFCC offers more than 70 programs in which students can earn Skills or Professional Certificates for quick employment or Associate of Applied Science or Associate of Arts degrees that transfer seamlessly to many other four-year schools.
Fall 2020
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