CAMDENTON, Mo. — Various local leaders, business owners, and even Governor Mike Parson celebrated the designation of Camden County as a Work Ready Community on Wednesday, Sept. 25, at The Exchange Venue.Â
The ACT Work Ready Communities initiative in Missouri seeks to align workforce development and education to meet local and state economic needs. Led by community leaders, including elected officials and business representatives, the initiative focuses on attracting, retaining, and developing a skilled workforce equipped with essential 21st-century skills.
This achievement is a milestone for Camden County, reflecting a dedicated effort that has spanned seven years and involved overcoming numerous challenges, including delays due to COVID.
"I vividly recall seeing a map of the state, each county outlined in different colors according to their progress. And there in the middle of the state was a white block representing Camden, Miller, and Morgan County," said K.C. Cloke, the Executive Director of the Camdenton Area Chamber of Commerce and the co-chair of the Tri-County Certified Work Ready Community Initiative. "This accreditation will not only benefit our region, but will also enhance our standing in the state, attracting future development and employers."
Gov. Parson was the guest presenter, highlighting the significance of the Work Ready Community initiative in building a skilled workforce.
"Everybody wants good infrastructure, and everybody wants a trained workforce, no matter who you are," Parson said. "And if you really want a future for our state, you have to develop a workforce in all areas of the state."
Parson noted the limited opportunities in smaller counties compared to larger cities, but said this initiative is a way to bring rural Missouri along. He also emphasized the importance of preparing students for the workforce from an early age.
He pointed out that businesses, both domestic and international, prioritize workforce training when deciding where to locate. Acknowledging that not everyone will pursue a college degree—citing that around 65% of Missourians lack one—Parson urged educational institutions to provide honest guidance about career paths that don’t require degrees.
As of Sept. 25, here were Camden County's work ready numbers:
- 83 employers recommended or recognized the National Career Readiness Certificate
- 547 members of the emerging workforce have successfully completed the NCRC exam process, primarily high school juniors and seniors
- 298 current and transitioning members of the workforce have better positioned themselves for their long-term future by completing the exam
Parson stressed the necessity of equipping students with practical skills that match local job market demands and promoting a broader understanding of available opportunities beyond traditional career routes.
"The proof's in the pudding, as they say in old school," Parson said. "So here's what I'll tell you. How many of you know that Missouri is in the top five in manufacturing in the United States?"
He specifically noted that the state ranked first in the nation for job growth in June as well, outperforming states like Texas, Florida, and California. He attributed this success to a strong focus on workforce training. He also highlighted Missouri's top ranking for job creation among people with disabilities, explaining the importance of recognizing their abilities rather than just their disabilities.
"There's no question I'm totally biased when it comes to the state, [and] I had the opportunity of a lifetime to be the governor," Parson concluded. "I want to tell everybody how much I appreciate all of you [because] you care enough about the local communities to make it better."
Dr. Jill Durnin, the Director of the Lake Career & Technical Center, expressed her excitement for the community's future. She wants students to feel empowered and proud to earn the credential.Â
"Prior to the pandemic, LCTC was testing an average of 88 students a year, and 75% of those students that were tested were actually earning the NCRC credential," Durnin said. "We've increased the percentage of students earning the NCRC credential by 15%. Over the last three years, 27% of our students have earned a platinum or gold credential, 30% have earned a silver, and 32% have earned a bronze."
Durnin said the challenge now is for the community to honor the credential and skills through employee promotion and higher wages.
"As someone that has the honor and privilege of working with the future generation of workforce, the future is bright," Durnin said. "These young people are not only skilled, they're intelligent, they're creative, they're passionate, and they're right there in our community."
Traci Albertson, Programs Manager of the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, underscored the significance of becoming a Certified Work Ready Community. She highlighted that this designation not only reflects Camden County's commitment to cultivating a skilled workforce, but also strengthens connections between education and local employers.
"The initiative provides an impressive link between education and workforce development, which aligns with the economic needs of your community and helps close the skill gap by matching individuals to jobs based on their skill levels," Albertson said. "Across the state, we have over 5,400 employers that support this initiative. This shows that this program works, and is an effective tool for their hiring needs."
Mike Chittum, the Compliance Officer for the Central Ozarks Private Industry Council, expressed gratitude for local leaders when he took the podium, explaining how the WorkKeys program assesses skills to create better job matches. Three main competencies tested include applied math, graphic literacy, and workplace documents.
"Companies are saying, 'Hey, look, we're getting people fresh out of high school... but they really don’t know how to do this,'" Chittum said. "What this test does is it creates another go-between for the gap that's there, for those hard and soft skills that aren't covered in a diploma."
To conclude the event, Versailles Mayor Jamie Morrow emphasized the importance of collaboration among communities. Morgan County was the first in the Lake area to become a Certified Work Ready Community.
"The beauty of this is that a group of us decided to was better to work together than against each other," Morrow said. "What this has been about is what's good for our area...It's good for our young people, creating an environment that they want to stay in."
Reflecting on her involvement in the tri-county initiative since it began, Morrow remarked on the progress made over the years. She even credited Gov. Parson with her defining attitude: why not us?
“Let’s continue to work together to make the Lake of the Ozarks region a shining example of what we can all achieve when we collaborate," Morrow said.
