Governor Kehoe Releases Governor's Workforce of the Future Challenge Report…

OCTOBER 2, 2025

Jefferson City- Today, Governor Mike Kehoe, in collaboration with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (DHEWD), announced the release of the Executive Order (EO) 25-16: Governor's Workforce of the Future Challenge Report, which lays out a path to modernize Missouri's career and technical education (CTE) system and strengthen the state's workforce pipeline.

"Missouri's future depends on preparing the next generation to take on the jobs that drive our economy," said Governor Kehoe. "This report confirms that career and technical education is an essential part of Missouri's long-term economic strength. We must ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed and every business has the skilled workforce it needs to thrive."

EO 25-16, which was announced during Governor Kehoe's inaugural State of the State Address, charged DESE, with DHEWD as a principal partner, to lead a a statewide review of CTE delivery. Over four months, the departments convened a statewide working group made up of educators, business leaders, and workforce experts and surveyed more than 5,600 Missourians-including parents, educators, students, and employers.

The working group and survey findings highlighted broad public support for CTE and an urgent need to expand access, improve advising, and deepen business-education partnerships. Highlights of the surveys include:

• 92.3% of Missourians view CTE positively, and 90.8% see it as a pathway to higher education.
• The top benefits identified were leadership skills (82.4%) and life skills (85.4%).
• Business leaders stressed the need for stronger partnerships with schools to expand internships and apprenticeships.
• Parents and educators called for clearer information on credentials and college credit transfers.

To capitalize on these findings, three recommended priority areas were identified:

• Strengthen Work-Based Learning, Employer Engagement, and Workforce Development - Create a statewide work-based learning innovation grant, expand registered apprenticeships, develop a work-based learning toolkit, enhance work-based learning opportunities for non-traditional students, and conduct a comprehensive review of WorkKeys.
• Expand Early Career Exploration, School Counseling, and Advising Systems - Launch career counseling earlier in schools, hire more full-time advisors, provide resources for K-12 students and counselors, and carry out a full assessment of Missouri Connections.
• Strategic Communication and Marketing to Promote CTE - Launch a statewide CTE awareness campaign, highlight student success stories, market high-needs sectors through region-focused social media campaigns, and increase awareness of Missouri's CTE Certificate.

"This report shows that families, educators, and employers are united in support of strong career and technical education," said Dr. Karla Eslinger, Commissioner of Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. "Our job now is to turn that support into action by expanding work-based learning, improving career advising, and creating clear pathways to high-demand careers."

"By strengthening partnerships between schools, colleges, and employers, we can prepare Missourians for long-term success," said Dr. Bennett Boggs, Commissioner of Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. "Missouri's economy is strongest when education and workforce go hand in hand."

The Governor's Office will review these recommendations to guide continued efforts to expand CTE access, strengthen business-education partnerships, and ensure Missouri students are equipped with the skills needed to thrive in the economy of tomorrow.

For more information on career and technical education, click here.

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