Talent & Workforce

Bringing the best, brightest to Springfield When the Chamber added workforce development as its fourth strategic area of focus a year and a half ago, we were answering a need. As part of our Existing Business Support Program, we asked businesses about their most pressing concerns, and one issue consistently topped the list: workforce. But as…

Teacher externship program gears up for Year Two Teachers have a difficult job preparing students for the working world that awaits them after graduation. It’s a combination of making students aware of the opportunities available and teaching the skills they need to take advantage of those opportunities. But to do that, teachers need to know…

Employee education: What’s it worth? In their quest to attract and retain talented employees, companies consider many options. One getting increased attention is support for education and professional development. That was the focus of a special session of the Chamber’s “60 Minutes to Success” educational series on March 29. The session, “Supporting Education Attainment,” included…

How The Network gives young professionals an edge Workforce issues continue to dominate our business community’s conversations and while much attention is paid to growing talent through the public school system and attracting experienced professionals to the region, there is a third way. In its work to meet workforce needs, the Chamber is also focusing…

Businesses open for career exploration True workforce development starts early. On graduation day, those students who have had the chance to explore career options as high school juniors and seniors are more likely to succeed as they embark on next steps. Launched just this year, GO CAPS (Greater Ozarks Centers for Advanced Professional Studies) gives…

GO CAPS students kick off the school year More than 250 students, parents and business partners flooded rooms at CoxHealth, the eFactory and Springfield Remanufacturing Corporation for the orientation and launch of the Greater Ozarks Centers for Advanced Professional Studies last week. “We’re working to prepare you for jobs that don’t even exist yet—jobs that…

Business and higher ed talks lead to new course at Ozarks Technical Community College Businesses asked, and the education community has answered. Beginning this fall, the Center for Workforce Development at Ozarks Technical Community College will offer a new course designed with a particular local industry in mind. The pilot course will focus on stainless steel fabrication…

Teachers learn a thing or two from area businesses Four days. Three industries. 11 school districts. 23 businesses. 31 teachers. The impact on our workforce—exponential. Beginning next week, the Greater Ozarks Centers for Advanced Professional Studies will send teachers from across the Springfield region into area businesses to find out first-hand what skills are needed…

GO CAPS announces program offerings for 2015-2016 The Greater Ozarks Centers for Advanced Professional Studies began enrolling students for its first two course strands, Engineering and Manufacturing and Medicine and Health Care. The program will immerse high school juniors and seniors in an environment that combines hands-on career experiences and classroom learning by partnering students…