Gov. Eric Greitens and state Sen. Jeanie Riddle are expected Tuesday to help announce good news for Callaway County.
The Missouri Department of Economic Development will formally announce Callaway County has achieved official designation as a Certified Work Ready Community at a ceremony scheduled for 1 p.m. at Callaway Electric Cooperative.
The announcement and plaque presentation will be made by officials from the state Department of Economic Development, Greitens and Riddle, and all are invited to attend, according to a news release.
To date, Callaway County is among 49 of the state's 114 counties to earn CWRC status. Missouri's Certified Work Ready Communities is a voluntary initiative guided by key community leaders, including local elected officials, economic development, business leaders, chambers of commerce, educators and workforce development. The initiative links workforce development to education; aligns with the economic needs of communities, regions and the state; and helps close the skills gap by matching individuals to jobs based on skill levels.
"Callaway County is very excited to be recognized by the state of Missouri and achieve Certified Work Ready status," Callaway County Presiding Commissioner Gary Jungermann said. "By validating the skills of our workforce and making them more employable, we can provide a more qualified and stronger workforce for our existing businesses that are hiring them as well as those that might be considering a move to Callaway County."
As part of the CWRC initiative, more than 40 businesses in Callaway County have agreed to recognize the National Career Readiness Certificate from job applicants. The certificate documents an individual's essential work-related skills. Included among area employers recognizing the NCRC are Callaway Electric Cooperative, AZZ/Central Electric, Backer's Potato Chip Co., Danuser Machine Company, Henderson Products Inc., Mid-America Precast, the Ovid Bell Press, The Callaway Bank, Fulton State Hospital, Missouri School for the Deaf, and all four of the county's school districts.
"Being a Certified Work Ready Community is an important economic development tool for Fulton and Callaway County," Tamara Tateosian, executive director for the Callaway Chamber of Commerce, said. "Callaway County has a workforce that is rich in manufacturing skills and knowledge - the foundation which will help determine our economic growth in the 21st century."