To further support the impact of career and technical education (CTE) training programs across the state, Jefferson College has been selected by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to receive a $400,000 grant for the College’s HVAC and Fire Science programs.
“Career and technical education is critical to our workforce development goals here in the State of Missouri," Governor Parson said. “Every day the necessity for a post-secondary degree, trade, or industry recognized credential is growing for good-paying jobs across the state, and we want to support Missourians as they seek to learn new skills, especially in our career and technical education programs.”
The Missouri Area Career Center Opportunity (MACCO) Grant provides funding to enhance the state’s CTE capacity by providing more opportunities for CTE students while updating and modernizing career centers’ infrastructure and equipment. The funding will enhance the work that these programs do to ensure all Missouri students are prepared for success upon graduation and further contribute to developing Missouri’s workforce.
“Jefferson College has a strong commitment to educating the workforce of tomorrow and to providing equal opportunities for all who want to purse their dreams of higher education and well-paying jobs,” said President Dr. Dena McCaffrey. “This grant positions the College to remain responsive to employer needs while helping to build a strong regional economy.”
Jefferson College will use $325,000 to create a Fire Science outdoor lab that will enable infrastructure improvements, relocation of a burn building and simulation equipment to a new long-term site with space for future expansion, and installation of water main service, a fire hydrant, and a gravel bed. The remaining $75,000 will be used to modernize the layout of the Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning lab in order to increase capacity, improve safety, and enhance simulation experiences for students.
MACCO is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (APRA) and was included in Governor Parson's Fiscal Year 2023 budget proposal to the General Assembly. MACCO grants local education agencies (LEAs) up to $400,000 for the following purposes:
Create new high-demand and emerging programs
Construct a new area career center building
Renovate or build an addition to an existing area career center
Update or expand current CTE programs
Improve infrastructure for safety and equipment needs
Upgrade equipment and instructional technology
Grant funds must be used to enhance or extend area career centers’ capacities to increase students’ knowledge and skills needed to gain employment in current or emerging fields, continue their education, or re-train for new business and industry opportunities. The grant required LEAs to submit an application and match 25 percent of the awarded MACCO funds.
