Missouri’s manufacturing industry is one of the top in the nation and plays an important role in our state’s economy and labor force. Having just wrapped up National Manufacturing Month and heading into National Apprenticeship week, this is a perfect moment to recognize the importance of both manufacturing and apprenticeships in our state.

Part of the reason our state’s manufacturing industry is able to thrive is thanks to our strong apprenticeship force. Missouri is a national leader in apprenticeships, ranking third in the nation for completed apprenticeships and fourth for new ones. This week, I visited Fort Zumwalt East to tour and learn about the Zumwalt Apprenticeship Program. Apprenticeships allow students to “earn and learn” in a work-based setting that prepares them for a career while earning school credit or often times a paycheck. The Zumwalt Apprenticeship Program is doing great work for Missouri with a manufacturing program that provides hourly wages for on-the-job training, high school credit, college credit through St. Charles Community College, and a certificate from the Department of Labor upon completion. This is a wonderful way for students to earn real-world experience and explore an industry they might want to pursue when they finish school. Manufacturing jobs and revenue contribute significantly to our state’s economy and the opportunity to explore this industry in high school and beyond helps ensures our state will continue to thrive.

The manufacturing industry is very heavily involved in these programs, but they are by no means the only industry that partakes in apprenticeship learning. In Missouri, 70 different occupations in high growth industries like health care, technology, and transportation offer apprenticeships for interested Missourians to learn new skills and jobs. Entering a new field can seem intimidating, but apprenticeships are a great way to learn as you go without having to fall behind in school or forgo a paycheck to support your family. Because our state’s economy and labor force has been reaping the benefits of the win-win situation that is apprenticeship for years, I introduced a bill in Congress that would use Missouri as a model for the entire country. It would help standardize apprenticeship standards so more Americans could take part in these worthwhile opportunities. This is particularly important now when so many employers are looking for qualified workers.  

In some more good manufacturing news, the world’s largest automatic assembly supplier, Piston Automotive has chosen St. Charles County to be home to its newest facility. Piston Automotive is a Detroit-based manufacturing company that is a partner of General Motors. This facility will create more Missouri jobs and is tasked with assembling parts for the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon trucks. Along with their $10 million facility in Wentzville, more than 200 new jobs will be coming to the Third District. 

Manufacturing in our state puts out $38 billion gross state product and provides almost 270,000 jobs allowing Missourians to support their families and our economy. We’re fortunate that small businesses want to do business here, and that big companies see the value in our state’s skilled workforce and pro-business economic policies. This skilled workforce is largely due to the heavy emphasis Missouri puts on apprenticeships. Our state has recognized that when we give people tools and opportunities – like the ability to earn a paycheck while learning a trade and advancing their career – we all benefit.