Springfield awarded $17.5 million federal grant for job training in health care, child care
Springfield has been awarded $17.5 million of federal grant funds to conduct health care and child care job training across southwest Missouri.
The funds come from the $500 million Good Jobs Challenge, a portion of the American Rescue Plan Act passed last year to combat the effects of COVID-19.
The Good Jobs Challenge aims to make "once-in-a-generation investments in high-quality, locally led workforce systems to dramatically transform America’s communities."
"With a focus on equity, the program is expanding career opportunities for more Americans to reach their full potential and secure good-paying jobs while producing a skilled workforce to ensure the United States is prepared to innovate, compete, and succeed in a 21st Century global economy," reads the program's description.
Out of 509 nationwide applicants, Springfield is one of 32 communities chosen for the program and the only one in Missouri.
With the federal funds, Springfield plans to lead a regional partnership to encourage economic growth and job training in the health care, early child care development and transportation industries.
"These systems and partnerships will create and implement industry-led training programs designed to provide skills for and connect unemployed or underemployed workers to existing and emerging job opportunities," reads a city council bill accepting the grant.
In total, the plan hopes to put at least 2,836 individuals into "good jobs."
Through these partnerships, Springfield will serve 51 counties in Missouri, including 14 counties with "persistent poverty."
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The city has secured employer commitments from local employers including, but not limited to, CoxHealth, Jordan Valley Community Health Center, Proffer Wholesale Produce, and Penmac.
"In partnership with three established backbone organizations — Truck Dynasty Driving Academy (trucking), Missouri State University (education), and Missouri Hospital Association (health care) — the Quadra-Regional Workforce Alliance will train over 2,000 individuals with a focus on communities of color, women, and people with disabilities," reads the city's plan.
"This is very, very good news. Not only for the city but for our whole region," said Springfield Mayor Ken McClure at last week's City Council meeting before unanimously accepting the funds.
The city will take the next six months to develop its plan and will implement it over the next three years.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield awarded $17.5 million in grant funds for job training
