Corridor companies look to attract and prepare skilled animal health workforce, support future industry growth
Kansas City, Mo. – August 31, 2015 – The Kansas City Animal Health Corridor unveiled two new workforce development tools to nearly 1,000 global animal health executives tonight at its 10th annual Homecoming dinner.
Manufacturing Technician Level 1 Certification offers industry-endorsed basic skills for preferred placement in manufacturing and production positions with KC Animal Health Corridor companies, while ExploreKCCareers.com provides career exploration into the field of animal health.
Manufacturing Technician Level 1 Certification (MT1)
Launched by the Manufacturing Skills Institute in 2009, the MT1 Certification is endorsed by the National Association of Manfacturers and included in its National Skills Certification system. The KC Animal Health Corridor Advisory Board has introduced the MT1 Certification to the KC region as a mutually beneficial tool to support livability and development of talent in the region and the growth of the animal health industry in the Corridor.
“KC Animal Health Corridor companies and continuing education programs are embracing this three year certification as a true win-win for the Corridor and the KC region,” said Ian Spinks, president and general manager of Bayer Animal Health North America, and chair of the KC Animal Health Corridor Advisory Board. “Employees will be more valuable and better prepared, and employers will identify and get the candidates they need to fill critical roles within their companies.”
An MT1 Certification offers students: a three year certification which demonstrates basic skills required for manufacturing and production; a program that is industry endorsed, credential based, and third party validated; a program which can be completed alongside other certifications or degrees; and a preferred position when applying with KC Animal Health Corridor companies.
An MT1 Certification offers companies: an increase in skilled entry level candidates for production and manufacturing; less training costs than currently required for entry level employees; and confidence that candidates have the required skills for the positions in which they are hiring.
Training for the certification will be delivered as early as fall 2015 and is currently available through the following institutions or programs: Lee Summit R7 School District – Partnership with Summit Technology Academy; Missouri Western State University; Innovation Stockyard – Partnership with Hillyard Technical Center (St. Joseph); Metropolitan Community College; and Kansas City, Missouri Public Schools.
ExploreKCCareers.com
“As society moves further and further away from the farm, there is less awareness of where our food comes from,” explained Kimberly Young, president of the KC Animal Health Corridor. “This has led to a decreased awareness among high school students nationally about career opportunities within the animal health industry. ExploreKCCareers.com offers a new way for students to see where career opportunities line up with their personal interests and skills.”
ExploreKC Careers.com is designed to educate students and potential new hires through four pillars:
- Fiscal literacy calculator to compare salary expectations and cost of living.
- Self-assessment to match careers that fit with an individual’s interests and passions.
- Colleges and Training suggesting classes, degrees and training that fit with the careers an individual is most interested in.
- Career exploration will provide real jobs open today that fit with an individual’s career choice.
ExploreKCCareers.com is live today and will be initially marketed to 8,000 Ag educators through the Future Farmers of America (FFA) and the 10,000 college students affiliated with Agriculture Future of America (AFA).
Learn more at KCAnimalHealth.com.
“A priority focus on workforce development and science-based careers is something every animal health company in the Corridor strongly supports. A steady pipeline of talented, skilled individuals is key to the ongoing growth of our companies, our region and our industry,” said Spinks.
About the KC Animal Health Corridor
Companies with a business location in the KC Animal Health Corridor account for more than half of the sales generated by the global animal health industry. The Corridor, anchored by Manhattan, Kansas, and Columbia, Missouri, is home to more than 300 animal health companies, representing the largest concentration in the world. For more information, visit KCanimalhealth.com.
