Coordinating Board for Higher Education, State Workforce Development Board hold joint meeting to discuss collaborative efforts to better serve Missourians

The Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education and the State Workforce Development Board partnered in a joint meeting to strengthen education, training, and workforce pipelines, supporting career advancement and economic growth.

The Coordinating Board for Higher Education (CBHE) and the State Workforce Development Board (SWDB) held a joint meeting Wednesday, marking a significant step in their collaborative efforts to help Missourians access education and training to advance their careers, as well as bolster the talent pipeline for the state’s employers.

During the three-hour joint meeting, the boards discussed several key topics, including the importance of data to understand the talent landscape, the strengths in aligning higher education and apprenticeships, and the development of short-term training programs through efforts like the Health Education Accelerated Learning & Skills (HEALS) initiative. The boards heard from experts from Missouri State University, East Central College, the Missouri Hospital Association, BJC HealthCare, and Jobs for the Future. Board members also welcomed Dr. Annelies Goger, an economic geographer with the Brookings Institution, to explore ways to align educational systems with employer demand as we work to promote skills-based hiring and improve economic mobility. 

“The Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development has a unique opportunity to report to and collaborate with two boards — both share a passion for helping to place Missourians on pathways to learn, work, and prosper,” said Dr. Bennett Boggs, Commissioner for the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. “Bringing the two boards together reflects our collective commitment to continue efforts to draw on all of our resources as we seek to deliver economic value to students and advance our state’s workforce and economic goals.”

The joint meeting also emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between various sectors, including higher education institutions, local workforce boards, and industry partners to address the critical needs for a well-trained workforce. By working together, these partners can develop innovative solutions to support students and employees, including addressing barriers to quality education and training such as lack of transportation or financial constraints. 

“Creating opportunities to engage in active dialogue about our mutual interests will help both the Coordinating Board for Higher Education and the State Workforce Development Board better serve Missourians,” said Hollie Elliott, CBHE Chair. “We are excited to explore even more opportunities to work together to develop and improve initiatives, programs, and partnerships that help Missourians access education and training.”

“Collaboration is key as we look for opportunities to best help Missourians gain the education, training, and skills required to meet the needs of employers,” said Leonard P. Toenjes, SWBD Chair. “It was an honor to meet alongside the Coordinating Board for Higher Education to explore ways we can work together to make meaningful change and impact, and I look forward to continuing these discussions moving forward.”

In addition to the joint meeting Wednesday morning, both boards held their individual September quarterly meetings. The CBHE met Tuesday, where the board voted to approve the legislative proposals for the upcoming year, budget recommendations for the department and state student financial assistance programs, as well as the operating budget recommendation for public colleges and universities. The SWDB met Wednesday afternoon, where the board discussed current initiatives and opportunities for the public workforce system to provide employers with the skilled workforce they need.