Missouri S&T and community colleges focus on manufacturing

Missouri University of Science and Technology, East Central College and St. Charles Community College are collaborating to expand training for high-tech manufacturing careers.

The three institutions will receive a $9.1 million grant from the state to support efforts that include new buildings and degree programs as well as outreach to K-12 students to get them more interested in advanced manufacturing.

“We've seen our manufacturing move to other countries over the last few decades, and it's been particularly bad in Missouri,” said state Rep. Don Mayhew, R-Crocker. “It gives me heartburn.”

Manufacturers in Missouri report they are only operating at 75% capacity.

“Missouri desperately needs more engineering and technology students trained in emerging advanced manufacturing technologies to address the workforce shortage in this industry,” said Richard Billo, director of Missouri S&T’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing.

The intention is to locate the training in more rural areas of the state.

“In these rural areas, many young people want to return home. And so we looked at what opportunities there are for them? “Well, 80% of Missouri’s manufacturers are in rural counties,” Billo said.

The project, titled “Bridging the Manufacturing Critical Skills Gap,” is funded by the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development’s MoExcels Workforce Initiative.

Missouri S&T develops curricula and degree programs specifically focused on manufacturing. Additionally, the company will expand its student outreach programs through its summer camps, on-campus programs and its STEM Outreach Van, which will be filled with manufacturing training equipment and provide hands-on experiences to thousands of Missouri students ages 9 and older .

East Central College, based in Union, will build a Center for Advanced Manufacturing that will be part of its new Rolla campus, scheduled to open in 2027. The focus is on certification, training and degrees in areas such as welding and industrial maintenance.

“Wouldn’t that be ideal if we could meet the needs of manufacturers in the Missouri region in 10 years? So there is no gap, but that would be a wonderful problem to have,” said Joel Doepker, ECC vice president for external relations.

St. Charles Community College will also be part of the K-12 outreach effort and is developing a new manufacturing curriculum focused on new energy technologies. The school also partners with S&T on dual enrollment programs, internships and continuing education courses.

“This is personal to me,” said Billo, who grew up in rural West Virginia. “I only became an engineer because a local university gave me a chance. And I have always been committed to providing that opportunity to as many kids like me as I can. This program helps make that happen.”