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Gov. Parson applauds Howard County’s ACT Work Ready certification

Justin Addison, Editor/Publisher
Posted 5/18/21

Howard County has taken a major step forward in attracting business here with a certification as an ACT Work Ready Community. The county reached the status in April. The Work Ready initiative is an …

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Gov. Parson applauds Howard County’s ACT Work Ready certification

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Howard County has taken a major step forward in attracting business here with a certification as an ACT Work Ready Community. The county reached the status in April. The Work Ready initiative is an effort to align workforce and education to meet the economic needs of the state and local communities.

On hand to celebrate the announcement Tuesday on the Central Methodist University campus was Missouri Governor Mike Parson. He, along with Missouri Director of Workforce Development Dr. Mardy Leathers, congratulated the members of the Howard County community who put in the work to complete the requirements. 

“Receiving ACT Work Ready certification shows Howard County’s commitment to its community and building a skilled, 21st century workforce,” said Gov. Parson. “The educators, employers, and policymakers of Howard County have built a strong pipeline between schools and businesses, and we applaud them on this achievement.”

So far 131 people in Howard County have earned an ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate. The exam was administered by Moberly Area Technical College to some high school seniors and those leaving the military, among others. Eighteen businesses here recognize certified NCRC workers and the county hopes to attract more with this new accreditation. 

“We all know a strong workforce is critical for every rural American business,” said Howard County Western District Commissioner Mat Freese. “We know this first hand because we see multiple businesses seeking skilled employees to fill these jobs needed.”

As a WorkReady Community, Howard County businesses and its workforce hope to benefit from the nationally recognized credential.

“This is one more tool that will allow potential businesses looking for a place to locate or to expand to see we have a ready and capable workforce here waiting for them. Just as important, if not more so, it gives our existing businesses a place to look for the next trained and ready employee,” said Amber Overfelt, Chairman, Howard County Economic Development Council.

Howard County first applied for the accreditation in 2013. Michael Bugalski, President of the Moberly Area Economic Development Corporation, called the achievement a team effort and stressed its importance during a time when employers are unable to hire enough workers. “Everybody knows the struggle we’re in to find talent. You don’t have to look too far from convenience stores to large industries to see what’s happening. The certified WorkReady Community is a nationally recognized credential that will be beneficial to Howard County.”

Missouri is second in the U.S. in apprenticeship programs and fifth in the nation in the expansions of manufacturing jobs. Missouri is in the top-10 in economic recovery since the pandemic. Missouri is also in the top-10 in new site selections. “What that tells you is people are looking at Missouri to expand their businesses,” Gov. Parson said. “The two things those businesses are looking at are infrastructure and workforce development.

“You guys will be the model for a lot of other smaller counties across the state,” Parson said.

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