Missouri Contractors Commit Record-breaking Amount to Workforce Development through Expanded Scholarship Program
Today the AGC of Missouri announced $47,000 in scholarship awards to 25 university and trade school students throughout Missouri. Earlier this year AGCMO expanded several separate scholarship programs and added new categories, growing its Educational Scholarship Foundation program by over 600 percent over prior years. AGCMO also has more than doubled the number of AGC student chapters in the state. The scholarships will be presented at the Construction Leaders’ Council (CLC) Build-A-Brat picnic on June 7 in St. Louis and at the Young Executives’ Club Annual YEC Golf Classic on July 23 in Columbia.
“Workforce development is one of our organization’s top priorities,” said Leonard Toenjes, CAE, president, AGC of Missouri. “I cannot stress enough how important it is to train and educate our workforce. With aging Baby Boomers and severe economic downturns in the past two decades, many industry professionals and skilled trades have retired. It’s time to train the next generation of builders.”
According to a recent survey by the AGC of America, more than 70 percent of contractors report they are having a hard time filling hourly craft positions and it’s getting harder to attract and retain project managers and salaried personnel.
“We’ve also expanded our student chapters throughout the state, sponsoring AGC chapters at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri S&T in Rolla, Ozarks Technical Community College in Springfield, State Technical College of Missouri in Linn, and Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph,” Toenjes added.
He noted that construction is a major driver of Missouri’s economy, employing more than 120,300 persons throughout the state in February (seasonally adjusted). View here.
The following students will receive 2018-19 AGCMO Scholarships:
- Raymond Boos (Cape Girardeau; 63703), a student at MS&T majoring in civil engineering – $2,000
- Justin Briggs (Creighton; 64739), a student at MSU majoring in construction management – $2,000
- Kyle Broksieck (Stockton; 65789), a student at the Missouri Welding Institute studying master pipe welding and fitting – $1,000
- Alyssa Bubanovich (Poplar Bluff; 63109), a student at Arkansas State University majoring in civil engineering – $2,000.
- Chandler Doughten (Jackson; 63755), a student at State Tech studying heavy equipment operator/heavy equipment – $2,000; employed by Capital Sand Company
- Easton Dunning (Strafford; 65757), a student at MSU majoring in construction management – $2,000
- Kylie Eichholz (Jefferson City; 65101), a student at University of Missouri-Columbia majoring in civil engineering – $2,000
- Kristie Franklin (Palmyra; 63461), a student at Moberly Area Community College majoring in business administration – $2,000; employed by Bleigh Construction Company
- Alexander Glenn (Chesterfield; 63005), a student at Missouri S&T majoring in engineering – $2,000
- Dilon Grieme (Smithville; 64089), a student at MSWU majoring in construction engineering management – $2,000; employed by Herzog Contracting Corp.
- Levi Hargrove (Thayer; 65791), a student at MSU majoring in construction management – $2,000
- Joshua Holtschneider (Linn; 65051), a student at State Tech studying heavy equipment operator – $2,000; employed by Capital Sand Company
- Lauren Houston (Kirksville; 63501), a student at MWSU majoring in construction engineering technology – $2,000
- Trey Hughes (Bonnots Mill; 65016), a student at MSU majoring in general business – $2,000; employed by Capital Paving and Construction LLC
- Earnest Jackson (St. Joseph; 64507), a student at MWSU majoring in construction engineering technology – $2,000
- Scott Lea (Springfield; 65802), a student at MSU majoring in construction management – $2,000; employed by APAC-Central, Inc.
- Evan McCorkle (Jefferson City; 65109), a student at Missouri S&T majoring in geological mining engineering – $2,000
- Jacob Metzinger (St. Joseph; 64504), a student at MWSU majoring in construction engineering technology – $2,000
- Craig Miller (St. Louis; 63116), a student in the Carpenter Joint Apprentice Program – $1,000; employed by Pace Construction Company
- Cuyler Obermaier (Marshfield; 65706), a student at MSU majoring in construction management – $2,000
- Cliff Rickard (Willow Springs; 65793), a student at Missouri S & T majoring in civil engineering – $2,000
- Brandon Schulte (Iberia; 65486), a student at the Missouri Welding Institute, master pipe welding and fitting- $1,000
- Nick Turner (Branson; 65616), a student at MSU majoring in construction management – $2,000
- Nicholas Voney (Columbia; 65201), a student at University of Central Missouri majoring in construction management – $2,000
- Tyler Ward (Quincy, IL; 62305), a student at Iowa State University majoring in construction engineering – $2,000
The Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Missouri represents the united voice of the construction industry throughout the state of Missouri. AGC of Missouri represents approximately 550 commercial, industrial, heavy and highway contractors, industry partners and related firms in 110 counties across the state of Missouri. AGC of Missouri operates offices in St. Louis and Jefferson City. Visit: www.agcmo.org
