Archive for category: Partner Spotlight

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Partner Spotlight: Anna Witte

Building pathways and partnerships for a stronger workforce.
Missouri Works Initiative is proud to highlight organizations and individuals who we partner with to help our Apprenticeship Ready cohorts prepare for a career in the trades.

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Anna Witte is all about helping people find their next step—and she’s been a fantastic partner to Missouri Works Initiative in doing just that.

As a University Relations Specialist at Spire, Anna works on the company’s Workforce Development Team, connecting with schools and community organizations to help students and job seekers learn the skills they need to succeed in professional trades. With a background in supporting college students, she’s brought that same guidance into the world of workforce development.

Spire—serving over 1.7 million homes and businesses across Missouri, Alabama, and Mississippi—takes its mission seriously. Spire is,”an exciting place to work and build your career,” says Anna. “Safety and care” are core to the company’s culture, and that commitment has landed them on Newsweek’s list of Most Responsible Companies for six years running.

Anna sees firsthand how today’s job seekers face real obstacles. She says, “adapting to the demand for diverse, specialized skills…many face barriers to accessing quality training programs, limiting their growth potential.” But she’s hopeful about what’s possible. “By investing in equitable education, apprenticeships, and vocational programs, we can empower workers, close skill gaps, and foster a more inclusive, resilient workforce.”

Her journey with Missouri Works Initiative began through conversations with union leaders at Gas Workers Local 11-6, who were looking to support recruitment efforts. After a conversation with MWI Executive Director Megan Price, Anna was all in. “I was hooked,” she says. “I got involved with MWI because of the focus on training and upskilling workers, especially diverse talent, which benefits the community as a whole. Spire’s values of safety and integrity are echoed by the MWI programs and their students.”

Anna and her team support MWI through Spire Serves, a program that gives back through direct investment, employee volunteerism, and matching donations. “We invest our time and resources in organizations that enrich the lives of those we serve and MWI is an example of that. Working together, we can help present career opportunities across Missouri.”

She’s seen how the work we do together makes a difference. “I think MWI is addressing so many needs of workers. First, by helping workers who may not have otherwise pictured themselves in skilled trade careers find their path forward. Additionally, the skills taught in the MWI program—both hard and soft skills—help students be more ready to enter the workforce and hit the ground running on day one.”

Anna’s commitment to this work is clear, and we’re so grateful for the energy and insight she brings to our mission. “Providing support services while going through programs like this can be life-changing and meeting those needs is impactful and important,” she says. “We’re helping financially meet some of those needs through our Spire Serves grant and helping show alternative pathways forward.”

Thank you, Anna, for being such a champion of Missouri Works Initiative—we’re proud to partner with you!

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Partner Spotlight: Sue Smith

Helping Springfield job seekers find their path—and their power.Missouri Works Initiative is proud to highlight organizations and individuals who we partner with to help our Apprenticeship Ready cohorts prepare for a career in the trades.

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Sue Smith knows a thing or two about helping people find their way into meaningful careers. She’s a Certified Workforce Development Professional with the City of Springfield’s Workforce & Economic Vitality Missouri Job Center, where the mission is all about connecting local talent with the industries that need them most, including construction.

Sue brings a background as a career educator into her current role as a Workforce Development Specialist. She’s part of a team working hard to support job seekers in Springfield, especially through apprenticeship programs made possible by the Apprenticeship Building America grant. She’s also helped several local businesses create Registered Apprenticeship Programs in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor—no small feat!

Sue was first connected to Missouri Works Initiative when training to become a proctor for the National Career Readiness Certificate, a credential earned through assessments that measure basic workplace skills and verify an individual’s foundational skills for workplace success. Sue’s trainer referred her to Missouri Works Initiative as “one of the best we had to offer” at the Missouri Job Center.

Since then, Sue’s become a key partner in our work. She helps in all kinds of ways—from interviewing potential candidates and supporting enrollment to prepping program graduates for the job hunt with resume reviews, mock interviews, and real-talk guidance. Her insight and encouragement mean the world to our cohort members who are ready to get to work and build a career for themselves.

Sue’s deeply aware of the challenges workers face today. She says, “One of the biggest challenges facing workers in Missouri and in general is accessing and affording the necessary training to enter or advance in a specific career. While many industries increasingly require specialized skills and certifications, the cost of training programs can be a barrier for individuals. Additionally, navigating the variety of available training options and identifying those that align with career goals can be overwhelming. The lack of awareness about resources, such as grants, apprenticeships, and employer-sponsored training, can further hinder workers’ ability to pursue the skills needed for high-demand careers.”

That’s exactly why we’re so grateful for partners like Sue. She helps break down those barriers and connect people with the resources they need to succeed.

One story that sticks with her? “I had the opportunity to help a single mother who wanted to transition from office work to a career in construction,” Sue said. “She was seeking a path that would not only provide a living wage for her family but also allow her to take pride in her work. After completing the Missouri Apprentice Ready (MAR) program, she advanced to the IBEW pre-apprenticeship program…This experience has been life-changing for her, offering stability, financial independence, and a sense of accomplishment.”

Sue also has great things to say about the program itself, “I believe the Missouri Works Initiative is effectively addressing the needs of workers by offering a comprehensive 5-week program that provides foundational knowledge about the construction industry.” Says Sue, adding “It allows individuals to explore multiple career pathways within the industry before committing to a specific trade, helping them make more informed decisions.” 

She gave a special shoutout to Austin Fox, our Construction Programs Manager and Springfield Instructor: “Austin Fox is an amazing leader of this strong program.”

We’re so lucky to have Sue as a partner. Her experience, commitment, and heart help make Missouri Works Initiative what it is—and we can’t thank her enough.

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Partner Spotlight: Sonja Gholston-Byrd

“United Way is a global organization that works to build stronger, more equitable communities by connecting donors, volunteers, unions, community leaders, and partners to address complex challenges,” says Sonja. “The breadth and depth of the help provided to so many of our neighbors is incredible. Across two states and 16 counties, we invest more than $1 million per week to ensure that people can live into their possibilities each and every day.”

Overseeing the organization’s largest labor liaison department in the country, Sonja and her team are tasked with connecting union members and workers facing financial hardship with 211 agency resources and direct assistance. “We encourage unions, labor leaders, and union members to contribute to and support United Way’s annual campaign,” says Sonja. “By participating on workforce development boards and community social services organizations, they engage with leaders of apprenticeship programs throughout the region and help create pathways to livable wage jobs and union apprentice programs.”

Social services support is provided to Missouri Works Initiative program participants by United Way of Greater Saint Louis Labor in partnership with MWI, including assistance with transportation. “We provide resources for long-term, permanent vehicle ownership in addition to short-term ride-sharing services through Lyft. Our mentorship program aims to assist graduates in overcoming obstacles to entry and successful retention in the construction trades while UWGSL Labor provides direct assistance to students who are struggling financially with basic needs,” shares Sonja. “Additionally, we host the Labor and Learn event, which gives students a chance to get in touch with AFL-CIO-recognized consistency groups and other union diversity-focused organizations.”

In addition to providing participants with the connections they need financially, the United Way of Greater St. Louis sponsors the Mentoring Program, which is intended to assist graduates in overcoming obstacles in obtaining employment and retention in the construction trades. “We connect men and women with trade expertise with recent graduates of the program,” says Sonja. The mentoring program addresses topics connected with work and job performance and staff of United Way Labor select and screen mentors, who are at least level 5 apprentices or retirees. “For several months following graduation, we continue to coordinate and monitor the mentoring pairing connection to ensure it remains strong and effective,” shares Sonja. These valuable mentoring relationships help participants navigate the workplace culture and expectations while inspiring the hope and confidence that are necessary for success.

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Partner Spotlight: Larry Woods

The Diversity Division of The Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) partnered with the  Missouri Works Initiative’s Building Union Diversity Program (BUD STL) in St. Louis to establish the Workforce Development Grant Program. According to Larry Woods, Diversity Construction Supervisor with the MSD, “Our Diversity Division is unwavering in its commitment to the initiation and support of programs and endeavors designed to create a trained, qualified workforce of minorities and females in the field of sewer construction. The Workforce Development Grant Program has helped create a pool of qualified individuals including minorities and women. The resultant workforce is equipped to fulfill our pre-set “boots on the ground” workforce goals for our capital improvement projects. This approach also allows for employment opportunities for under- and unemployed individuals within the communities we serve.”

Larry’s role with the program is multifaceted, including vital behind-the-scenes work to help students get hired and to ensure underrepresented individuals are gainfully employed on job sites. “I regularly speak to the new cohorts of the Building Union Diversity Program discussing the requirements, opportunities, and benefits associated with employment in the sewer construction industry,” says Larry. “This active engagement also involves hosting on-site job tours where participants can gain real-life insights and understanding of the industry.” Woods regularly attends the Apprentice Ready Program in St. Louis-hosted hiring events and graduation ceremonies and provides continual follow-up support to program graduates, ensuring their transition into the industry is as smooth as possible.

“I wholeheartedly believe that Missourians who participate in this program stand to gain immensely. The program affords participants invaluable skills and resources and provides a solid foundation of support. With these tools, individuals are empowered to secure occupations in a trade, in turn enabling them to earn a decent living and provide for their families,” says Woods.

With the unique opportunity to see students through the whole program, Larry’s favorite aspect is watching them come full circle. “If I had to narrow down my favorite aspect of the program, it would undoubtedly be witnessing the journeys of the individuals who participate in the program. From the initial stages right through to their ultimate success, being able to chart this progression is deeply rewarding. Regular updates and heartfelt expressions of gratitude from participants serve as constant reminders of the significance of our efforts,” shares Larry.

Woods believes the BUD STL Apprentice Ready Program is already shaping the social and economic landscape. “By opening up opportunities to individuals who are often overlooked or underserved, the program is cultivating a new generation of construction industry workers,” he says.  “This fresh intake of talent and innovation broadens the scope of inclusion within the industry. In doing so, those who may have previously encountered barriers to entry are being given a platform to succeed. These individuals not only contribute to the existing workforce but are also an integral part of future infrastructural upgrades. In essence, the program is paving the way for sustained, long-term development that will serve our needs now and into the future.”

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Partner Spotlight: Ashley Fleming

Reliable transportation is vital to obtaining and maintaining a job in the trades, especially in Southwest Missouri, where public transportation may be limited. A missed car payment, needed repairs, or money for a tank of gas could pose a seemingly insurmountable barrier for students in the Apprentice Ready Program. However, many Missouri Works Initiative students can overcome this challenge and graduate through the generosity of The Community Foundation of the Ozarks’ Let’s Get to Work grant program.

“In the Fall of 2021, the CFO hosted a series of donor education events focused on philanthropy and workforce development. Throughout the series, we heard from Springfield employers about the challenges they encounter in hiring and retaining employees. One of the recurring barriers was reliable transportation,” shares Ashley Fleming, CFO Grant Program Coordinator.

“In response, the CFO launched the Let’s Get to Work grant program,” says Ashley. “The grant program provides funding to nonprofit agencies, including the Missouri Works Initiative, working with low-income individuals in acquiring or maintaining employment by supporting related transportation expenses, including anything from paying for insurance costs and licensing fees to paying for car repairs, to purchasing e-bikes,” she says. “The goal of the grant program is to help individuals experiencing job loss or reduction of hours due to lack of reliable transportation move from unemployment to employment, or from part-time employment to full-time,” says Ashley. 

With barriers like reliable transportation removed, graduates of the Apprentice Ready Program continue to build better futures for themselves, their families, and the Ozarks as a whole. MWI appreciates the CFO grant to support its students entering and completing construction apprenticeships.

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Missouri Works Initiative Partner Spotlight: Greg Burris

“Our role is to help with up front needs assessment and to assist students throughout their classroom experience by helping them overcome any barriers that would prevent their participation,” says Greg. “ We connect them with hotel rooms, transportation, or other resources in our community that they need. We want everyone who starts the program to finish the program because we think it’s a game changer.”

Missouri Apprentice Ready helps build community ownership by changing lives with sustainable career opportunities, which aligns with United Way’s upstream focus of helping individuals overcome the barriers to self sufficiency. “I have personally seen lives changed because of the Missouri Apprentice Ready program. Individuals go from living in cars or couch surfing to financial independence, and we think that is amazing,” says Greg. We help with housing, transportation, food insecurity, and whatever is necessary to keep them in class.” 

One of Greg’s favorite moments in the program is graduation. “That’s when you see it all come together. Friends and family come to the ceremony to celebrate students and what they’ve accomplished. The trades are there too–not only to celebrate, but to offer jobs. These are the goosebump moments because you have people who have gone through the program showing what they can do, and the labor trades are pitching them job offers. Sometimes graduates have multiple offers to choose from when a few weeks before, they had no stable job prospects,” says Greg. “They are quickly in a position to have a level of ownership in their community and help spread hope to others, coming full circle. Helping your neighbor weaves a tighter social fabric that benefits everyone.” 

Start your journey here.

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Missouri Works Initiative Partner Spotlight: Justin McCarty

After being modeled on the successful BUD program in St. Louis, the Missouri Works Initiative brought the Missouri Apprentice Ready program to Springfield in 2021. “The MO AFL-CIO gave a presentation at the Springfield Building Trades meeting. I remember after the meeting all the trades were very interested in this program, and being able to help those who may not know how to enter the construction trades, or who may not know about an apprenticeship,” says Justin. “The Missouri Works Program is a great way to explore different trades and discover which one is the best fit for you. This 5-week program provides essential safety training and detailed information about multiple trades, giving you a chance to learn and understand their unique characteristics.”

Justin’s family has been in the plumbing and pipefitting industry since 1913. “I am a 5th generation Local 178 member, but I initially struggled with the idea of pursuing a career in this field. Eventually I recognized that my current job was not a sustainable career that could support a family and finally decided to pursue an apprenticeship. I began as a helper for a shop, doing tasks like sweeping floors, delivering materials, and assisting Journeymen in their work.” Justin was eventually accepted into the apprenticeship program, marking the beginning of his career in the field. “The benefits, such as retirement, health care and continuing education have been great. Nowadays, I take pride in driving my children around and pointing out buildings, proudly yelling, ‘I helped build that’.”

“As the President, I want to recognize that the hardworking men and women of the Springfield Central Labor Council are the backbone of our organization,” says Justin. “We are constantly seeking new ways to improve our relationship with our communities and members. We collaborate with other groups to identify ways to build a better community and work with local elected officials to set policies that benefit everyone without hurting the working class. Ultimately, we all share the same goal of creating a better future for our families and community.”

Start your journey here.

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Missouri Works Initiative Partner Spotlight: Rosanna Privitera-Biondo

When approached by Rudy Chavez with the offer to become a supporter of the Kansas City area Missouri Apprentice Ready program, it was an easy yes for Mark One Electric President and CEO, Rosanna Privitera-Biondo. “We had worked together previously through IBEW Local 124 and wanted to move forward,” says Privitera-Biondo. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to help find future tradespeople in Missouri – they offer 20-plus trade opportunities!”

A trusted Kansas City electrical company, Mark One Electric believes in the Missouri Apprentice Ready program and illustrates their support by providing their local program with a space to meet and conduct training. But they don’t stop there. Additionally, they give students and instructors access to necessary tools and equipment at no charge to the program. 

Founded in 1974 by Rosanna’s parents, Carl and Josephine Privitera, Mark One has been giving back to the Kansas City area for decades. They began by servicing small business, commercial and industrial accounts and quickly developed a reputation for completing difficult jobs for demanding clients and were soon working in major plants and industrial facilities across the country. Mark One has continued to evolve and diversify, offering an impressive scope of electrical construction services from design, build and pre-construction to underground, data/communications and specialty systems.

With over 200 employees they are considered the specialty contractor of choice for the Kansas City construction community. “We care about the people of Missouri. We want to give them opportunities to work with their hands in a good industry that has many opportunities in the construction industry,” says Rosanna. “This program is helping by educating people about all the opportunities that the construction industry has to offer for tradespeople. It shows them that this is a good field to work in with endless possibilities.

Mark One Electric has hosted two cohorts and always engages to support students’ career readiness. They currently employ two Missouri Apprentice Ready Kansas City participants – Cohort 2 graduate John Weir and  Cohort 5 graduate  Naomi Alexander who are IBEW 124 apprentices. “If you’re looking for a way to start a career in the union trades and gain valuable connections that carry on even after you graduate, then this program is where you want to be,” says Naomi.

Start your journey here.

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