Dr. Karla Eslinger Commissioner | Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's (DESE) Office of College and Career Readiness, in collaboration with the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (DHEWD), launched the Governor’s Workforce of the Future Challenge on April 21, 2025, in Jefferson City. This initiative is part of Governor Mike Kehoe’s Executive Order 25-16, which tasks DESE with engaging stakeholders to update and enhance career and technical education (CTE) systems across Missouri, aiming to improve skill acquisition and participation in CTE programs.
Commissioner of Education Karla Eslinger highlighted the importance of the initiative, stating, “Our team at DESE has been focused on ensuring Missouri students have the skills they need to be successful after graduation and find their own unique path to success. We appreciate Governor Kehoe’s continued emphasis on building a skilled and educated workforce for tomorrow.”
The launch event was attended by nearly 50 CTE stakeholders who are part of DESE’s work group. The meeting addressed the guiding principles and objectives outlined in the Executive Order. Key goals include increasing partnerships and awareness of CTE opportunities for students and employers, continuing program development and expansion, emphasizing early career counseling, increasing the use of Missouri Connections in educational institutions, expanding WorkKeys implementation in high schools, and improving collaboration among job centers, youth apprenticeship consultants, and career advisors. Additionally, the initiative focuses on reviewing state CTE programs for deficiencies and eliminating regulations that hinder instruction and utilization.
“This is a great opportunity for stakeholders from business, industry, and economic development to continue our collaboration with education leaders,” said RJ Catizon, Assistant Regional Director for the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council and a member of the work group. “This is a dynamic group, working together to support a cause we are all passionate about: preparing the next generation of Missouri’s workforce.”
The work group will continue meeting virtually and plans to reconvene in-person on July 21 in Springfield. DESE will submit an annual report to the Governor's Office by September 30 each year, detailing the efforts, progress, feedback from stakeholders, and policy recommendations.
For more information and updates on the work group's activities, interested parties can visit DESE’s Workforce of the Future Challenge webpage. Feedback or questions can be sent to WorkforceoftheFuture@dese.mo.gov.
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