Missouri Job Center reports higher success with displaced workers

More of the dislocated workers who seek help from the Missouri Job Center are completing education and training programs, according to a May 6 update.

The Springfield-based center is on track to exceed a state benchmark this fiscal year for the percentage of dislocated workers who obtain a post-secondary credential or diploma. However, the center fell short of the benchmark the prior two years, putting it in danger of state sanctions.

Rebecca Fletcher, assistant director for program performance for the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, was part of the May 6 meeting of the Ozark Region Workforce Development Board.

Since the center fell short two years in a row, she was required to provide technical assistance. Board members said increasing program enrollment and staying engaged with enrollees as they work toward their goals helped address past issues.

“Luckily, it appears staff have worked really hard, and that is not going to be the issue this year, so good job,” she said.

Fletcher said if the benchmark was missed a third consecutive year, the state may have reorganized the board or imposed sanctions.

The benchmark has changed over time. Last year, the goal was 79% of dislocated workers completing education or training programs, and the center reported a 50% success rate. The prior year, the goal was 81%, and the center reported a 69% success rate.

“For this program year, the dislocated worker credential is already at 105% of the goal,” Fletcher said.

The state tracks the number of displaced workers that enter and exit the program annually, and since the program can take multiple years, it is possible for a center to process more completers than new enrollees in a single year, leading to a completion rate above 100%.

“They may leave the program because they received a credential, and they don’t need our services anymore,” she said.

Each center is responsible for communicating with the displaced worker and the institution providing the training or education to document if a credential or a diploma is obtained.

Fletcher said it can be a challenge to stay engaged with displaced workers who exit, especially if there is staff turnover. She said some workers seek resources after a job loss but may not need education or training.

“Dislocated workers are hard, across the state, for people to enroll,” she said.

Karen Dowdy, compliance coordinator for the city of Springfield, provided an update to the board on enrollment.

“We worked really hard on getting our numbers up, getting more dislocated workers enrolled. That is what hurt us last year,” she said. “We only had six, and three of them did not complete.”

Ericka Schmeeckle, Springfield’s assistant director of workforce development, said efforts were made to improve enrollment and tracking.

“What you’re seeing now is a result of more intensive case management, more follow-up,” she said.

The timing of the meeting and the recent announcement that Timken Co. plant in Springfield will close – laying off more than 280 employees – was coincidental, but helping the dislocated workers appeared top of mind for the board.

Schmeeckle said they are working closely with the state to provide help.

“We’re getting employers that are reaching out and saying ‘Hey, I would really love to hire these individuals. Can I be part of this?’” she said.

Schmeeckle said representatives have reached out to Timken to offer resources to employees.

“They are in internal meetings this week, so they asked for our meetings with them to start next week,” she said. “We’ll be there asking them how can we help? Can we help with hiring events? Can we help with services, just anything that they need.”