Job-readiness program announces first course offerings

The Greater Ozarks Center for Advanced Professional Studies, aka GO CAPS, is currently enrolling high school students from Springfield Public Schools and 10 other area districts for its first curriculum programs to begin in the fall.

The program was announced in February as a joint effort between the school districts, local businesses and the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce to give students an early look at potential career paths and prepare them for entering the workforce, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.

Beginning in the 2015-16 fall semester, students can enroll in two career-readiness tracks: engineering/manufacturing and medicine/health care. Chamber officials say about 80 percent of the available class spots already are filled through the participating schools in Springfield, Logan-Rogersville, Nixa, Willard, Republic, Ozark, Strafford, Reeds Spring, Branson, Bolivar and Monett.

“One of the biggest challenges we’re going to have is managing the growth of this program because there is so much demand for it,” GO CAPS spokeswoman Maggie Kost said, adding the chamber is currently seeking classroom instructors. “It’s the kind of program that will ignite passions within students and help them find a path.”

According to a chamber news release, students enrolled in engineering and manufacturing will attend classes at Springfield Remanufacturing Corp. to learn about the industry and participate in hands-on projects to be developed by partner businesses and program instructors. As part of the medicine and health care track, students will examine medical case studies, hone physical assessment skills and prepare patient treatment plans at a CoxHealth classroom.

Students will attend the 2.5-hour blocks during regular school hours and will receive high school and college credits through the program.

Businesses partnered with the program include 3M, Central States Industrial Equipment, City Utilities of Springfield, Conco Cos., CNH Industrial Reman, Custom Metalcraft, SMC Packaging Group, Jack Henry and Associates, Citizens Memorial Healthcare, Housing Plus LLC and Mercy Hospital Springfield.