Missouri Gets Healthcare Workforce Training in Gear Though ARPA Grant Program

Workforce training in Missouri got a much-needed jump start in the form of $30 million in funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The grant will flow through Missouri’s Department of Economic Development (DED) and touch key industries within the state, including childcare, healthcare, broadband deployment, manufacturing, and more.

Programs that focus on workforce training and upskilling received renewed importance in the wake of the pandemic. Missouri recognizes the challenges in its state, where it is looking to bolster the workforce and increase its skillsets. Maggie Kost, Director of Missouri’s Department of Economic Development, sees the program as a way to “help employers in critical industries find the workers they need to propel our economy forward.”

Geoffrey Roche, Sr. VP of National Healthcare Practice & Workforce Partnerships at Core Education Services, PBC, sees the potential in Missouri’s efforts to make workforce training meaningful, especially in healthcare.

Geoffrey’s Thoughts

“As states like Missouri look at using the ARPA Workforce Training Grant program to specifically look at how they can train workers in healthcare, it’s really important that they consider embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion training and educational components into all facets of the training program. That is truly how we will transform the healthcare workforce.”

Article written by James Kent.