During National Apprenticeship Week, the Missouri Chamber Foundation is spotlighting its efforts to strengthen the state’s workforce through expanded apprenticeship opportunities.
The foundation has invested more than $10 million to prepare Missourians for careers in high-demand industries. To date, these initiatives have helped employers train more than 6,700 apprentices in fields such as manufacturing, information technology and health care.
“Helping people earn while they learn creates real career pathways and supports employers across our state,” said Karen Buschmann, executive director of the Missouri Chamber Foundation.
Manufacturing remains a cornerstone of Missouri’s economy, contributing $50 billion annually to the state’s gross domestic product and employing about 287,000 people. Missouri Chamber Foundation research, however, shows that expanding the workforce pipeline is critical to enhancing the state’s manufacturing competitiveness.
In December, the Missouri Chamber Foundation launched a new apprenticeship initiative aimed at strengthening the Kansas City region’s manufacturing talent pipeline. The program is supported by a $250,000 capacity-building grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
The investment will help pilot and expand youth apprenticeship opportunities by connecting employers, high schools and students. The benefits for young people are crucial while also addressing workforce shortages and promoting economic mobility.
“By connecting students, schools and employers, we’re creating clear, sustainable pathways to paid work experiences, credentials and strong careers — helping young people thrive while meeting the needs of Kansas City’s growing manufacturing sector,” Buschmann said. “At a time when our region faces critical workforce shortages, this support will help ensure that more students can step confidently into future opportunities.”
In addition to manufacturing, the Missouri Chamber Foundation continues to expand apprenticeship opportunities in the health care sector. This work is supported through a combination of U.S. Department of Labor funding and Missouri Department of Economic Development investments, including state-awarded American Rescue Plan Act funds.
These efforts have strengthened Missouri’s health care workforce pipeline by supporting employer-driven apprenticeship programs across the state.
Initial participants include BJC HealthCare, CoxHealth, Hannibal Regional Medical Center, Jordan Valley Community Health Center, Mercy and University Health. These organizations support registered apprentices in a range of high-demand occupations, including central sterile processing technician, certified pharmacy technician, certified phlebotomy technician, dental assistant, emergency medical technician, graduate nurse resident, medical assistant, medical coder and patient care technician.
Additional partners include Phelps Health, Lee’s Summit Medical Center, Lafayette Regional Health Center, Belton Regional Medical Center, Research Medical Center, Centerpoint Medical Center and St. Francis Healthcare System.
New apprenticeship roles introduced through these partnerships include long-term care nurse manager, home health director, licensed practical nurse, emergency medical technician and health support specialist.
Together, these programs demonstrate the flexibility of the apprenticeship model to meet evolving workforce needs while creating new career pathways for Missourians.
