FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 27, 2021
Media Contact: Katherine Trombetta
417-880-6306 or
[email protected]
Department of Workforce Development Receives $3 Million DOL Grant
The Department of Workforce Development, located at the Missouri Job Center, has been awarded a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration, to provide job training and career readiness to incarcerated individuals who are set to be released back into the Southern Missouri area.
“We are grateful for this grant opportunity and excited to institute the APPLIE program in Missouri state prisons,” said Sally Payne, Interim Director of Workforce Development for the City of Springfield. “The goal of the project is to place a minimum of 400 justice involved individuals into the APPLIE program prior to their release to ensure they are ready to rejoin the workforce,” Payne added.
The APPLIE program provides credentialed job training along with interview readiness that prepares individuals to rejoin the workforce by teaching them resume building, interview prep, soft skills and how to address legal issues in a professional manner to an employer. The program also teaches personal finance and how to use technology.
“The APPLIE program will be taught at three locations; Ozark Correctional Center in Fordland, Tipton Correctional Center and Chillicothe Correctional Institution,” Payne said. “We know that individuals who are employed are much less likely to reoffend. In fact, 69 percent who do not obtain full-time employment upon release will return to prison within two years,” she added.
For media requests, contact Katherine Trombetta at 417-880-6306 or [email protected]
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The Missouri Job Center is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services available to individuals with disabilities. MO TTY users may call 800-735-2966 or contact MO Relay at 711.