Thank you for your interest in the Missouri Work Ready Communities Initiative. By taking part in this effort, you will have the opportunity to transform your community’s economy and gain a competitive advantage in expanding existing businesses and attracting new businesses and jobs.
The application can be filled out online. For additional information and FAQs read the Application Packet.
To Apply to become a Missouri Certified Work Ready Community You Will Need to:
- Build a team of local stakeholders. Members should have a strong commitment to this effort as they will be essential to the long-term outcome. The team should have a leader who will have the time and commitment to the success of your county.
- The team MUST be comprised at a minimum of the following:
- Chambers of Commerce Leader
- Economic Development Leader
- Elected Official (County Commissioner, County Council member, mayor etc.). Find my Elected Officials.
- Education Leader (Superintendents, Administrators, School Board, K-12, Career Tech Ed. etc.). Find my School Board.
- Community College Leader. Find my local Community College.
- Local Workforce Development Leader. Find my local Workforce Development Board.
- An Employer/Business Owner
- The team MUST be comprised at a minimum of the following:
- Assess your county goals, using the Work Ready Communities website.
- Visit the Work Ready Communities website, click on your county on the map of Missouri, and you will find your local goals. These goals were established by Missouri’s Office of Workforce Development and ACT. They are based on the 2010 Census.
- Develop your county plan to reach threshold criteria.
- You will be required to submit a plan for achieving your goals to the CWRC office when you notify them of your intent to participate. If data is approved, your county will be given the Missouri Work Ready Community “In Progress” status. You may submit a supplemental narrative that your team considers significant in order to enhance your application.
- Prepare your application:
- You will be required to provide a letter of commitment from the team leader. A sample of this letter may be found in the application packet. The name of the primary contact person for the CWRC will need to be included. You can fill out the application online.
Achieve your Goals!
Once your application is submitted, it will be reviewed and a recommendation will be made to the Missouri Workforce Development Board, which will make the final determination for certification.
In order to qualify, your county will need to reach the targeted goals. This will include a certain number of individuals in your workforce obtaining a National Career Readiness Certificate, and a set number of employers recognizing, preferring, or recommending the NCRC in their hiring processes.
Most successful applicants will be granted a Work Ready Community "In Progress" status. Once granted an "In Progress" status, counties will have up to two years to achieve certification. These goals may seem challenging at first glance, but with a strong leadership team and a well-developed plan, they are attainable.
When your community achieves its goals, a "Certified Work Ready Community" status will be awarded.
For questions or more information, please contact cwrc@ded.mo.gov.