Sen. McCaskill visits MCC, wants to ratchet up appeal of manufacturing careers

"We need to convince students that tech is cool, and that manufacturing is tech," said U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill at a press conference Friday morning following a roundtable discussion with educators, community leaders and manufacturing employers.

The roundtable conversation, held at the MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute, was part of a statewide tour where Sen. McCaskill is visiting manufacturing facilities and talking to business and industry leaders about what they need to become more economically viable. McCaskill said she asked MCC to host Friday's event because she understands the important relationship between a prepared, skilled workforce and the high-quality technical education and training at MCC.

Roundtable participants included:
Claire McCaskill, U.S. Senator
Corey Dillon, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill’s Office
Clyde McQueen, Full Employment Council
Yolanda Reddix, Glennon Place, and graduate of MCC short-term training and LINCWorks
Troy Teague, Cerner
Tom Goodpasture, Pride Manufacturing, and representative of the Regional Nat'l. Tooling & Machining Assoc.
Bruce Eagleburger, Vector Tool and Engineering
Jake Chambers, Vector Tool and Engineering
Terry Akins, IBEW 124
Ron Green, Hallmark Cards
Tony Reinhart, Regional Director of Government Relations, Ford Motor Company

Participants from MCC included: Chancellor Mark James, IWI Executive Director Margaret Boyd, MCC-Business & Techonology President Debbie Goodall, MCC-Business & Technology Tech. Division Chair Penny Tepesch, Associate Vice Chancellor Tom Vansaghi, Vice Chancellor Paul Long and MCC-Maple Woods President Merna Saliman.

National Governors' Association Group Visits HSI

This year’s annual conference for the National Governors’ Association of State Workforce Board Chairs was held in Kansas City. In touring various sites around the metropolitan area, they made the Health Science Institute one of their stops.

The National Governors’ Association identifies priority issues and deal collectively with matters of public policy at the state and national levels. The mission of their State Workforce Board Chairs is to “to strengthen the nation's employment, training, and education systems, and collaborate with other national organizations engaged in areas of common interest.”

Over thirty representatives from around the country came for the half-day session which included a luncheon tour of HSI, a video presentation on MCC’s workforce development partnership with the Full Employment Council (FEC), and a panel discussion featuring MCC and FEC staff.

The theme for this year’s meeting was innovation with a focus on entrepreneurship as a driver for economic growth, so the conference was hosted as a collaborative effort between HSI, the Institute for Workforce Innovation (I.W.I.), the Chancellor’s office, and FEC. Chancellor Mark James and Dr. Joe Seabrooks, MCC-Penn Valley President, were also in attendance.

Regional Workforce Summit

The Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) will be hosting an all-day Regional Workforce Summit, Connecting Workforce Partners, on Tuesday, June 21, at Liberty Memorial. The summit is to formally launch the Regional Workforce Intelligence Network of Greater Kansas City (RWIN), a new workforce and economic data exchange system designed to encourage workforce data exchange and collaboration between area professionals.

The summit is part of the America Works Initiative funded by the Walmart Foundation, which The MCC Insider reported on in March.

Speakers at the event will include representatives from MARC, the Walmart Foundation, the Kansas City Business Journal, the Full Employment Council, the Missouri Department of Economic Development, Johnson County Community College, and other notable community leaders. Representatives from MCC include our own Dr. Tom Vansaghi, associate vice chancellor of college and community relations, and Margaret Boyd, executive director of the Institute for Workforce Innovation and interim director of the Health Science Institute.

There is still time to register for the event. The fee is $15.

I.W.I. signs $55K in contracts with Hallmark on LEaPLab development, training

Hallmark Cards, Inc., 2501 McGee, site of the new LEaPLab.

Last week, the MCC Institute for Workforce Innovation (I.W.I.) signed over $55,000 in contracts with Hallmark Cards, Inc., to assist them in developing their new Learning Exploration and Prototyping or LEaPLab, a fabrication laboratory similar to MCC’s FabLab at the Business & Technology campus.

The LEaPLab will eventually be open to all Hallmark employees to test new product ideas. Like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s FabLab concept, it follows a business model of prototype development rather than a learning model.

The partnership grew out of mutual interest: MCC was serving on an advisory group with Hallmark at the Kauffman Foundation regarding similar fabrication and prototyping laboratories, and eventually, Hallmark proposed that MCC partner with them the project.

Development of the on-site lab at Hallmark Corporate Headquarters began the day after the contracts were signed. Existing space will be renovated at Hallmark at 2501 McGee with a target completion date of August 1. MCC consulting services include design and layout of the lab. Once the lab is operational, I.W.I. will train the first eight classes consisting of over 90 Hallmark employees on how to use the lab’s equipment. I.W.I. will also create the initial training materials, including job aids, videos, and lesson plans.

MCC has a long-standing relationship with Hallmark—before I.W.I., Business & Learning Solutions had been doing business with Hallmark for over twenty years, and looks forward to the opportunities that will arise from this exciting new project. Hallmark has plans already in place to expand the LEaPLab, and as new equipment is installed, additional training will be needed. Hallmark has also expressed interest in creating internships for MCC students.

The partnership that resulted in the design and training contracts were the result of a major group effort. Hallmark staff included Ron Green, Government Resource Programs Manager; and Scott Browning, 3D Interactive/Creative Technology Manager. From MCC, I.W.I. staff included Steve Dowell, FabLab project coordinator; Pat Lees, project manager; John Littleton, performance consultant manager; Stan Fields, business development manager; Mark Murtha, media services; Dr. Kevin Kelley, director of community development; and Margaret Boyd, executive director of I.W.I.

Dirty Jobs’ Mike Rowe testifies before the US Senate, calls for a skilled labor force

You probably know Mike Rowe as that guy from Dirty Jobs, or the voice from Ghost Hunters and Deadliest Catch. Few are aware of his more serious side as an advocate for skilled trades and farming. This month, Rowe testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, calling for a major national PR campaign to address the shortage of skilled labor:



For a full transcript of Rowe’s testimony, visit the Discovery Channel’s website.

Rowe cited vacancies in 200,000 positions in manufacturing, and 450,000 in trades, transportation and utilities. Vacancies are expected to grow as an aging workforce continues to retire over the next five to ten years. In response, Rowe has established his own organization, the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, dedicated to supporting the trades. In conjunction with the Discovery Channel, Rowe is also

LINC Works partnership gives families a step up

Every year, the Local Investment Commission (LINC) provides support to 3,300 clients in the Kansas City area while they search for employment. Now, their search just got a little easier.

Through a new partnership between the LINC Works initiative and the MCC Institute for Workforce Innovation (I.W.I.), people receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) have the opportunity to get job training in high-demand fields.

In addition to supporting the mission of MCC, this important partnership with one of the region’s leading nonprofit community-based organizations brings in an average of $3,000 per student. Costs cover technical training, “soft skills” workplace preparation, connections to employers and academic support. The ultimate goal of the partnership is to help LINC clients get GEDs and technical certificates to help launch them in meaningful careers.

Since February, 45 students from LINC Works have enrolled in I.W.I. programs such as CNA+, certified mental health technician, and professional food preparation courses. Plans are in place for additional courses to be added on a monthly basis, paving the way for more participants. Options being explored for course offerings later this spring include welding, phlebotomy, sterile processing, commercial truck driving, and courses in the animal health sector.

Customer Appreciation Night at MCC-BTC

The MCC Institute for Workforce Innovation and Business & Learning Solutions is hosting its annual Customer Appreciation Night at the Business & Technology Campus. MCC is proud to honor its long-standing business associates from the Kansas City community, such as Ford, GM, Honeywell, Harley-Davidson, Cerner, and many others. Meet the people who make MCC and MCC students a success.

Walmart Foundation grant benefits MCC

Through its partnership with the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), MCC is participating in a research project that is being funded through a two-year, $500,000 grant by the Walmart Foundation's America Works Initiative. The MARC project builds on the 2005 WIRED program, whose purpose was to analyze prominent industry sectors and develop training to address workforce needs.

The new funding will support a variety of workforce initiatives, including a survey of five hundred area businesses designed to determine Kansas City hiring and training needs. Research findings will benefit MCC in developing relevant courses for in-demand jobs, as well as continue to strengthen community ties. The MARC research committee is made up of a comprehensive group of educational institutions, industry experts, workforce investment boards and government entities concerned with workforce development. Pat Lees, performance manager for the MCC Institute for Workforce Innovation (I.W.I.) serves on MARC's coordinating committee.

The five hundred-company survey will commence by the end of this month, with results compiled in May. Plans are also underway to host an upcoming workforce summit this summer.

For more information about MARC or MCC research initiatives, please contact Pat Lees.

Dialogue on Workplace Flexibility

MCC employees are invited to attend this half-day forum on workplace flexibility hosted by the Women's Bureau.

To attend the event, click here: http://bit.ly/gDTXRb.

A division of the U.S. Department of Labor, the Women's Bureau has provided a number of programs and events in collaboration with the MCC Institute for Workforce Innovation. For more information about the partnership, contact Pat Lees at I.W.I.

MCC Receives $100,000 Grant

MCC has been awarded a $100,000 grant by the Missouri Department of Higher Education (MDHE) to fund creation of the new Career and Postsecondary Transition Center.

The College Access Challenge Grant is part of MDHE’s effort to increase the number of Missouri students who view postsecondary education as an academically and financially viable option.

The Career and Postsecondary Transition Center is a new program of the Career Education Consortium, a collaborative partnership among six diverse local school districts – Center, Grandview, Hickman Mills, Independence, Lee’s Summit and Raytown – and MCC. The purpose of the Consortium, which is managed by MCC, is to promote

MCC featured in upcoming PBS documentary

The MCC Institute for Workforce Innovation continues to receive national attention as it will be featured in an upcoming documentary entitled, Change Agents: Community Colleges in the 21st Century, to air on PBS later this year.

Change Agents examines the role of community colleges in a shifting economy and the demands for new services that meet the needs of both students and employers. MCC was one of five colleges from around the country profiled for unique and innovative approaches to challenges such as shifts in student demographics, globalization, developing technologies and workforce demands. The documentary provides a holistic view of the state of community colleges, including interviews with students, faculty and government officials, including U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

The focus of the MCC segment is workforce development in manufacturing, highlighting the Institute for Workforce Innovation’s on-going relationship with

MCC delivers presentation at national workforce education conference

Metropolitan Community College recently participated in the National Council for Workforce Education Conference in Washington, D.C. MCC-Penn Valley Dean of Instruction Al Dimmitt, MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute Director Sandy McIlnay and MCC Executive Director of Workforce Development Margaret Boyd delivered a presentation on “Instructional delivery based on realism and partnerships.” MCC-Penn Valley Nursing Division Chairperson Karen Komoroski gave a preview of the presentation at the Newseum, a 250,000 sq. ft. museum that focuses on five centuries of news history along with the latest technology and hands-on exhibits.

Gov. Jay Nixon announces economic growth plans at MCC-Maple Woods

At his press conference at MCC-Maple Woods, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon announced several objectives aimed at growing employment opportunities in the Kansas City area and statewide. Nixon revealed the findings of his executive advisory board for economic planning and announced his five-year Strategic Initiative for Economic Growth, naming seven targeted industries that will be the focus of development for the next several years.

Among them, animal and plant science is a major economic driver in the Kansas City Metro area, which is part of Missouri’s impressive animal health corridor. Topping Nixon’s list of objectives is preparing the workforce with the skills they need to compete for jobs. MCC-Maple Woods’ veterinary technology program trains students with a nearly 100% board exam and job success rate, compared to around 75% for other animal science programs and is one of MCC’s key career programs.

MCC as a whole is creating new classes, programs and certificates designed to meet the governor’s objective as part of the Training for Tomorrow initiative, also designed to help Missourians re-enter the workforce.

The report is only a preliminary step in the process, however, as the board will continue to meet with regional business, labor, education and economic development officials to develop plans for meeting the governor’s strategic objectives in the target industries, which also include advanced manufacturing, transportation, health sciences, information technology, financial and professional services, and energy.

Nixon’s other objectives include retaining and expanding existing businesses, optimizing tax credits, investing in technology and innovation, aggressively marketing the state, developing the state's foreign trade efforts, encouraging small- and minority business development, and providing an infrastructure for companies and communities to be successful.

New Tool Tracks Job Market, Workforce Trends

The MCC Institute for Workforce Innovation has teamed up with the Mid-America Regional Council to give MCC staff and faculty easier access to information on job market trends.

MARC, the metropolitan planning organization for the bi-state Kansas City region, has agreed to provide MCC with access to a recently-acquired database that analyzes and generates reports on job market trends. The database, called EMSI, was developed specifically for colleges, workforce boards and economic development groups. The system can sort data by industry, occupation, demographic group or region, with projections for up to ten years.

As I.W.I. continues to look for new ways to support MCC’s development of a skilled and educated workforce, EMSI will be a valuable tool to support on-going research of regional needs. The I.W.I. community development team has already begun using the robust database tool: last month, the team created a report on the Lee’s Summit area at the request of leaders at Longview.

Kevin Kelley, I.W.I.’s director of community development, hopes others at MCC will also take advantage of this new tool.

“As the campuses are looking at ways to address the specific needs of their respective communities – and MCC as a district is looking at ways to address the needs of the metro area as a whole – EMSI is really going to revolutionize how we do program planning,” Kelley said. “The EMSI system allows us to focus down to a single ZIP code, or out to a national level. We’ve never had access to something like that before.”

The database’s capabilities will enable MCC, MARC and other community partners to investigate occupational trends and opportunities within the metropolitan area and see how Kansas City compares to the rest of the country. Other software features include access to business data which will be useful for forming industry partnerships. Economic impact reports can be used to track MCC’s continued role in the community, and the career pathways analyses and projections will aid MCC in delivering programming that ensures students’ success after graduation.

MCC has a long-standing relationship with MARC. Among other initiatives, MCC is a member of the organization’s workforce research committee, which also includes representatives from the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, the Kansas City Area Development Council, the Full Employment Council, the Workforce Partnership, Johnson County Community College and Kansas City Kansas Community College.

Workforce and job market reports, including research for a specific MCC service area or campus, can be generated upon request. For more information, contact Kevin Kelley, Pat Lees or Chris Butler at the MCC Institute for Workforce Innovation.

College nights in Cass County bring high school students one step closer to MCC

The Star Herald, Northwest Cass County’s newspaper, reported last week of the enthusiasm and support their community has regarding the steps MCC has taken to connect their local high schools with MCC resources. MCC courses are forming in Cass County and are scheduled to be available this spring.

College nights are scheduled next week to provide students from Belton High School, Raymore-Peculiar High School and Harrisonville High School with information about the financial aid process, the importance of seeking advice from counselors regarding degree plans, and other enrollment information.

To see the complete article in The Star Herald, click here.

I.W.I. Leaders Learn, Network at Latino Conference

As part of the Institute for Workforce Innovation’s Latino outreach initiative, Margaret Boyd, executive director of the Institute for Workforce Innovation, and Juan Rangel, director of workforce development, attended the inaugural National Council of La Raza (NCLR) workforce development conference in Chicago on Oct. 13-14.

Approximately 500 people attended the conference, entitled “¡Listo! Preparing Latino Workers for the New Economy,” with the goal of bringing together workforce development stakeholders from the local, state and national level to exchange ideas about program strategies, policy, and strategic partnerships. The NCLR presented a new report entitled, Learning in Context: Preparing Latino Workers for Careers and Continuing Education, which explores the impact of integrated training programs on low-skill and ESL participants. Workshops were offered along five tracks: career pathway strategies; serving vulnerable workers; youth workforce development; strategic partnerships; and local, state and federal policy solutions.

Hispanics represent the fastest-growing segment of the American workforce, with nearly 21.6 million Latino employees in the U.S. today. By 2050, it is estimated that one in three working-age Americans will be Latino. Through I.W.I., MCC is making a concerted effort to address Latino issues in education and community and workforce development.

Boyd and Rangel met with representatives from Carreras en Salud, a program sponsored by the Instituto del Progreso Latino, in search of a model site for a bilingual CNA program. Other opportunities for MCC to expand its outreach include law enforcement programming and other partnerships. Also in attendance at the conference were representatives from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City, El Centro, the Guadalupe Center, the Full Employment Council, Donnelly College and Kansas City Kansas Community College.

MCC Launches State-funded Logistics Training

A workforce development grant that Gov. Jay Nixon announced last spring is coming to fruition this week as Metropolitan Community College launches the first of a series of pilot training programs.

The Certified Logistics Associate (CLA) course is part of the governor’s Training for Tomorrow initiative, a program launched in January to educate Missourians for careers in growing industries. In conjunction with Buchanan, Cass and Platte counties, MCC received the first grant awarded as part of the state-wide program, in the amount of $2.22 million.

The CLA course addresses the growing workforce needs of the local and regional transportation and logistics industry.

“This training is essential for our area,” said Chris Gutierrez, president of KC SmartPort. “The demand for logistics specialists, especially entry-level workers, will continue to grow as Kansas City maintains its position as a major transportation hub.”

A second, more-advanced course in Certified Logistics Technician is slated to be piloted in January. Additional courses in supply chain integration and courses in healthcare, animal health and small business operations are under development. MCC will roll out more than 25 courses over the next two years. These courses are being coordinated by the MCC Institute for Workforce Innovation.

The CLA course is designed to train both incumbent logistics workers who need skills enhancement and entry-level workers new to the industry. Participants enrolled in this week’s pilot course include workers from Smith Electric Vehicles, Pure Fishing, InnovaPrep, and several other Kansas City area manufacturers, as well as individuals from other industries who have recently been laid off.

The pilot, which is being offered at no cost to participants, will be held Thursday, Oct. 21 at the Platte County Resource Center, 11724 NW Plaza Circle, Kansas City, Mo. 64153.

Career Exploration at MCC-BTC, Oct. 26 & 28

Career Exploration Nights have been scheduled on Oct. 26 & 28 at MCC-Business & Technology. Each runs from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and begins in Campus Center, room 248.

Visitors will meet academic and financial aid advisors who can help them get started in college. They’ll also attend lab and classroom discussions with instructors, learn how to prepare for a specific technical career and what the daily work is like.

On Tuesday, Oct. 26, the focus will be:

• environmental health & safety;
• electronics engineering technology;
• precision machining;
• welding, with a new associate’s degree in welding technology & management; and
• engineering & technology teacher education, a partnership program with the University of Central Missouri.

ThThursday, Oct. 28, Career Night will feature:

• electric utility line technician program, now accepting applications for the June 2011 class;
• Cisco computer networking;
• heating, cooling & refrigeration;
• industrial technology careers such as industrial electrician, stationary engineer and the new multi-craft technician;
• drafting (CAD) and engineering technology—architectural, civil, and mechanical/manufacturing emphasis.

Register online at mcckc.edu/visitbtc, call 816.604.5200 or email btc.admissions@mcckc.edu. Walk-ins are also welcome. MCC-BTC is located at 1775 Universal Ave. Kansas City, MO, and on the web at www.mcckc.edu/btc.

Addressing the Manufacturing Workforce Dilemma

Debbie Goodall, president of MCC-Business & Technology campus, moderated a panel discussion at the Chamber's recent Manufacturing Summit. Panelists were:

• Andy Brewer, project manager of new machinery development at Vector Tool & Engineering–who is also a BTC alum and adjunct instructor;
• Darrell Dryer, human resources director for manufacturing at Hallmark Cards;
• LaRoux Gillespie, vice president of the Society for Manufacturing Engineerings and a retired quality assurance manager at K.C.'s Honeywell plant;
• Troy Teague talent development program manager for Cerner, where he coordinated the launch of the KCIC partnership with MCC and other colleges.

They discussed strategies their companies are developing to address the shortage of skilled workers for many open positions in manufacturing.

James attends panel discussion with MU

Chancellor Mark James attended the University of Missouri – Columbia Provost’s Staff Retreat on Sept. 1 in Blue Springs, Mo. James served on the panel with Bob Marcusse, Kansas City Area Development Council; Jim Heeter, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Chamber; and Dan Getman, president of Kansas City Life Science Institute.
Discussion focused on furthering the partnership between MCC and the University of Missouri, specifically regarding transfer and workforce training initiatives.