News

Windows and doors manufacturer Peerless Products, Inc., recently announced it will expand in Nevada, investing $3.5 million and creating 111 new jobs. Peerless’ expansion will increase the company’s production capacity at its existing Nevada facility (Vernon County WRC) used for warehousing, manufacturing, and research and development.

“We have expansions in the manufacturing side of things that we have to develop into and this facility is going to give that opportunity,” said Jeremiah Richards, Innovative Solutions Director for Peerless. “Western Missouri, Eastern Kansas, these are places that have hardworking people that build good quality products."

The Aspire Adult Diploma program held its 2021-2022 graduation ceremony at the Washington County Career Center on Thursday night with friends and family in attendance. The Aspire Adult Diploma program is for Ohio residents that are 20 years of age or older that do not have their high school diploma or equivalency. It provides job training and a pathway for students in the program to earn their high school diploma based on ACT WorkKeys scores. There are classes during the day, at night, and online to accommodate the needs of any of its students. All of the services are free.

Returning citizen populations are a valuable, yet vulnerable, workforce. Unprecedented skill shortages in labor markets across the United States often intersect with a desire for justice system reform that provides pathways for returning citizens to thrive. ACT's new toolkit, Preparing Workforce Ecosystems for Returning Citizen Success, is now available for download.

Oklahoma Career Tech recently curated a set of powerful testimonials from employers across the Sooner state. Firms include Astellas Pharma Technologies in Norman, Frontier Electrical Systems in Stillwater, Hobby Lobby Distribution Center in Oklahoma City, Pan Pacific Products in Broken Bow, Spirit AeroSystems in McAlester, and VF Jeanswear in Seminole.

RoyOMartin celebrates 12 recent high school graduates who have successfully completed its WoodWorks certification program and are officially signing on as RoyOMartin team members. Currently offered in 15 Central Louisiana and four east Texas high schools, WoodWorks is a custom-designed curriculum that covers topics such as applied mathematics, industrial safety and employability skills.

Lorain Community College (Lorain County, Ohio WRC) credentials advising and career development staff in regional economics to connect more students to in-demand jobs. The series is now part of a larger Career by Design initiative to rethink how everything from advising to the general education curriculum relates to career paths in the northeast Ohio region.

The Texarkana USA Regional Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the 2022 graduates who have obtained the ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certification (NCRC). The Chamber was honored to present platinum, gold, silver, and bronze medals to students in recognition of their hard work.

“The Texarkana USA Regional Chamber of Commerce is proud to support this initiative throughout our local high schools in Arkansas and Texas,” said Robbin Bass, Director of Business Retention and Expansion at the Chamber. “We’re excited to celebrate the success of the students and see where they go in their future endeavors.”

Cargill, a global leader in food production and agricultural services, announced today that it will build a new soybean processing facility near Caruthersville in Pemiscot County. When complete, the new facility will be one of Cargill’s largest soy processing facilities in North America and create 45 new high-paying jobs in the region. Pemiscot celebrated its WRC achievement in a recent ceremony with Gov. Parson.

The Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion hosted a webinar recently on innovative pre-apprenticeship approach that helps prepare people with disabilities for careers in advanced manufacturing.  Frank Falatyn, President of FALA Technologies, joined the stage with Hillary Nichols, a Supervisor for Employment Services with the Resource Center for Accessible Living. Frank presented on using the WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate, the WorkKeys curriculum approach to applied math, and suggestions to advocate to business leaders for diversity and inclusion through skills-based hiring.  Look for NCRC highlights around the 23, 48, and 51 minute marks of the webinar video.

Congratulations to the Work Ready Communities in Ottawa, OK  and Boone, MO for selection to the 2022 Reinventing Our Communities (ROC) program through the Federal Reserve system.  ROC engages participating community leaders on the topic of an equitable workforce recovery. The year-long collective helps members apply racial equity solutions to strengthen regional economies and foster better economic outcomes.