The city of Springfield and Ozarks Technical Community College are considering a merger of their workforce development programs.
The proposed merger would transfer the city's Department of Workforce Development to OTC, according to a Sept. 10 news release from the city.
“This is not a done deal, but I am committed to doing the analysis to determine whether this would be in the overall community’s best interest,” City Manager Greg Burris said in the release.
Burris last week took the issue to the city's 62 employees in the department for consideration. Employees were asked to form groups for the purpose of addressing questions and concerns about pay and benefits, logistics and the details of work projects - such as grants, contracts and duties.
“I recognize that just going through the process will be stressful for some of our employees, but I don't want to rush into a decision without fully vetting the pros and cons," Burris added.
Merging is an idea the two entities have discussed before, but Burris recently went back to OTC with the idea due to the recent exit of Workforce Development Director Bill Dowling.
Burris and OTC Chancellor Hal Higdon have said they would work together to address salary and benefit issues. If the change is made, OTC has committed to meet employee needs and work to foster a smooth transition. Both the city and OTC hope to make decisions by year-end, according to the release.
The city's Department of Workforce Development provides services to southwest Missouri businesses and job seekers through the Ozarks Region Missouri Career Center. The center, which
recently moved to 2900 E. Sunshine St., is part of a statewide network under the Missouri Division of Workforce Development. Twenty-two state employees of the DWD are co-located out of the Springfield career center. The Department of Workforce Development is funded by an annual budget of about $4 million, according to the
city's website.
OTC's Center for Workforce Development
works with more than 300 companies, organizations and manufacturers. The organization provides workforce development training, including courses in manufacturing, management development, and quality and process improvement, as well as computer and technical workshops. The center also operates the Transport Training Institute and is authorized to provide Occupational Safety and Health Administration training, according to the release.
Neither city of Springfield spokeswoman Cora Scott nor OTC spokesman Joel Doepker could be reached for comment by deadline.[[In-content Ad]]
