September 19, 2018
New London, MO — The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) is pleased to announce Ralls County has achieved official designation as a Certified Work Ready Community (CWRC). The initiative helps communities validate skills and knowledge of their workforce to the business community. To recognize this achievement, a ceremony will be held in the lower level of the Ralls County Courthouse at 311 S. Main St, New London, MO. on Monday, September 24, at 10 a.m. Julie Carter from the Missouri Division of Workforce Development in Jefferson City will be on hand to present the certification to elected county officials and representatives of the Ralls County R-II School District. The public is invited to attend.
“The CWRC program allows us to understand the strengths and weaknesses of our labor base so that we can support our local and regional employers and assure quality employment for current adult workforce and our emerging younger workforce,” said George Walley, Executive Director of the Northeast Missouri Economic Development Council. “We are very thankful for the participation of many of our Ralls County employers, the Hannibal Area Chamber of Commerce, and the dedicated staff of the Ralls County R-II School District for making it possible to achieve this certification,” added Walley.
In 2012, Missouri was selected as one of the first four states to participate in the Certified Workforce Ready Communities initiative by American College Testing (ACT). The initiative aligns workforce training programs with the economic development needs of communities; matches appropriate applicants to jobs based on skill level; and strengthens businesses by solidifying the workforce.
With this certification, Ralls County joins 70 out of 114 other Missouri certified counties and over 108,906 Missouri citizens, young and old, who are tested and certified. Currently over 4,229 Missouri employers officially support this program and join over 21,886 nationally.
