JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Missouri has launched a statewide effort to educate 4,600 Missourians for healthcare jobs and careers, supported by a $20 million competitive grant from the Department of Labor. The grant specifically targets unemployed adult learners who are seeking new career opportunities.

Gov. Jay Nixon announced Sept. 26 that Missouri community colleges would invest $20 million through MoHealthWINS. Missouri's 12 community colleges and Linn State Technical College collaborated with the Missouri Department of Economic Development and the state's Workforce Investment Boards to apply for the federal funds to retrain unemployed Missourians for jobs and careers in growing healthcare fields.

"Missouri's healthcare industry is growing quickly, and hospitals, clinics and other employers need more nurses, lab techs and other workers with the right education and skills today,” said Nixon. “By expanding educational opportunities for Missourians in these fields, we'll open the door for employment for more folks and keep our economy growing. This is a strategic investment in the growth of our economy and the future of our state."

Individual colleges will use the funds to develop or expand training programs in the health information technology, health services and health sciences industries, which are targeted sectors under the Missouri Strategic Initiative for Economic Growth. The application focused on healthcare because it offers immediate and long-term employment opportunities and relatively high-wage jobs. 

Training will target specific occupations within this industry, including:

• Health information technologist
• Information systems
• Certified nursing aide
• Certified medical technician
• Licensed practical nurse
• Associate nursing degree
• Pharmacy technician
• Hearing instrument technician
• Medical lab technician
• Phlebotomist
• Radiologic technician
• Maintenance technician
• Mechanical technician 

The competitive funds were made available under the Department of Labor's Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grant Program.

When the grant process was announced, Nixon brought Missouri's community colleges together to submit a joint, comprehensive application. In the application, the colleges looked for ways to develop collaborative and targeted programs that would capitalize on the unique resources of each college, avoid duplication, and save money. The colleges will share equipment and faculty, emphasize online and distance learning and take other steps to expand access, improve efficiency and reduce redundancy.

"This grant is a major step forward for our community colleges in our efforts to expand opportunities for adult students across this state," said Zora Mulligan, executive director of the Missouri Community College Association.