Missouri House Committee Unanimously Approves Workforce Development Measure
Ameren Missouri supports legislation helping to prepare Missouri's workforce of the future
On Wednesday, Feb. 21, the Missouri House Utilities Committee approved legislation designed to prepare Missouri's workforce for jobs in skilled craft, engineering and other STEM-related fields. House Bill 1622, sponsored by Rep. Doyle Justus, R-Troy, aims to increase workforce development opportunities throughout the state. Under the legislation, electric, gas and water utilities would be able to recover investments made directly to educational institutions or students related to programs or courses that provide education or training in skilled crafts, STEM disciplines or other vocations necessary to supporting these utilities.
Members of the House Utilities Committee hear testimony on the importance of HB 1622.
"This legislation creates a path for more dollars to flow into pre-employment education for these important fields," said Rep. Doyle Justus. "With a rapidly changing job market focused on computers and online skills, it is important to remember that we need skilled workers to keep our infrastructure modernized and maintained. For our state to succeed and move forward, we must have enough skilled workers to ensure the lights stay on and the gas and water stays flowing."
Ameren Missouri utilizes several workforce development programs to help the company attract skilled and talented workers to the energy industry. The Skilled Craft Education program focuses on high school graduates in St. Louis and helps prepare these students for full-time employment in entry-level apprenticeships. The Skilled Craft Trainee program places participants in temporary employment opportunities to expose them to skilled-craft career paths, giving them the ability to be considered for full-time employment. The Building Union Diversity program is a job readiness initiative for underrepresented and/or underemployed individuals interested in the skilled trades. These pre-apprentices receive a comprehensive introduction to construction employment and the skills needed through a five-week job-readiness program.
According to HB 1622, the workforce development investments made by the electric, gas and water utilities available to be recovered would be capped over a 10-year period at .55% of the utility company's total operating revenue — potentially investing more than $17 million in Missouri's workforce.
The House Utilities Committee approved the measure by a bipartisan 14-0 vote. The legislation now heads to one of the House's rules committees for further consideration.