Gov. Mike Parson at Tuesday’s workforce and higher education roundtable discussion with area leaders and representatives from State Technical College, East Central College, and Missouri University of Science and Technology spoke on the importance of higher education and how institutions like State Tech are leading the way in preparing young men and women to enter the workforce with a quality education.

Held at the new Utility Technology Center, State Tech President Dr. Shawn Strong by way of introduction praised Gov. Parson for the work he has done, and continues to do, for higher education in the state.

“Support for higher education and building Missouri’s workforce is something our governor is well versed in,” said Dr. Strong. “He talks the talk and walks the walk when it comes to supporting both. Workforce is such an essential piece of his priorities. When people ask me how can our enrollment be up when most colleges are down I talk about the priorities of Gov. Parson. Our governor and his administration are laser-focused on the workforce. This focus has had a positive impact on State Tech at so many levels, from our enrollment to constructing this building.”

Gov. Parson also stressed how focus needs to start on the community level and how teacher pay needs to be increased so the retention of good educators can be maintained. “We have to start at the local levels,” he said. “We have to start with K-12. We are dead last in the country. Dead last in teacher pay. Starting pay in Missouri … baseline pay is $25,000. What we’re trying to do is take that base pay up to $38,000.”

A pay increase for teachers would be covered under the governor’s proposed spending plan — bolstered by federal dollars — that would provide $22 million for school districts that want to boost teacher pay to a minimum of $38,000 a year.

Gov. Parson addressed another issue that has several parents making hard choices when it comes to returning to the workforce: affordable and accessible childcare. He said that swing-shift and night workers often don’t have a lot of options for childcare and hopes to see that changed. Toward that end, he is asking the Missouri Legislature for $722 million to help childcare facilities.

Gov. Parson’s budget proposal includes nearly $412 million in federal funds to improve Missouri’s water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure projects. His transportation budget proposal includes $75 million for the continuation of the state’s cost-share program for public roads and bridges. The project matches up to 50% of certain construction contract costs. Additionally, the budget includes $100 million for improvements to low-volume roads. 

Osage County Eastern District Commissioner John Trenshaw asked the governor how counties can get access to those funds. Gov. Parson suggested they should create partnerships with other counties and professionals within higher education to apply for grants.

The proposed budget will do a lot for education in the state and will be a boon to State Tech.

“Governor Parson, in his proposed budget, has $20 million with a match by State Tech and partners for a $40 million project,” Dr. Strong said. “This will allow 90,000 square feet in new construction and 90,000 square feet in renovated space. Funds will construct two buildings and renovate portions of four buildings.

“COVID-19 has exposed significant deficiencies in the nation’s supply chain,” Dr. Strong continued. “The speed at which processes are automated is expected to increase significantly due to the pandemic. As a result, State Technical College of Missouri proposes the construction of two buildings where all the academic programs utilizing the space will educate technicians for roles in a highly automated workplace.

“This project will also renovate space that becomes available as a result of the additional square footage,” Dr. Strong said. 

This project would renovate the Engineering Technology Center, Welding Technology Center, Nilges Technology Center, and the Dr. Don Claycomb Information Technology Center. One new building would be connected to Nilges Technology Center and the other would be placed between the Engineering Technology Center and Welding Technology Center.

“Nearly all of our technical programs will be touched by this transformation project and this will allow us to grow an additional 50 percent,” Dr. Strong added.