STLCC Receives $10.8 Million Federal Workforce Training Grant
October 02, 2026
Posted by STLCC in News Resources
St. Louis Community College has received a $10.8 million, four-year grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to help expand access to workforce training across Missouri. The Missouri Partnership for Advanced Manufacturing, AI Infrastructure and Career Training (MoPAACT) initiative will prepare workforce programs for Workforce Pell eligibility and help students train for careers in advanced manufacturing and occupations that support the growth of artificial intelligence infrastructure.
STLCC will administer the Strengthening Community Colleges federal award and work with Missouri’s community colleges, the Missouri Community College Association, the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, and employer partners across the state.
Across Missouri, community colleges will create 34 new programs and enhance 44 existing programs, enrolling more than 2,500 students in Workforce Pell eligible programs by September 2030. Workforce Pell will provide financial aid eligibility for a variety of short-term career training programs.
“This investment is key to the ongoing growth and development of the state economy and we are honored to have the opportunity to partner with our fellow community colleges on this award,” said Jeff L. Pittman, PhD, STLCC chancellor. “Support and cooperation on the state and federal level are critical to community colleges preparing students for sustainable wages and careers.”
Preparing Missourians for In-Demand Careers
The initiative will focus on advanced manufacturing and occupations that support AI infrastructure. Employer partners will play an active role in identifying needed skills, reviewing curriculum and hiring and assessment requirements, and validating industry credentials.
STLCC will also develop its own Workforce Pell-eligible programs as part of the statewide effort. Programs identified for development include:
- HVAC technician
- General maintenance mechanic
- Commercial truck driving
- Industrial automation
- CompTIA Security+
STLCC expects approximately 200 to 300 students to participate in its local programs during the four-year grant period.
“MoPAACT will strengthen career pathways by aligning training with employer demand, improving education and workforce data integration, and ensuring programs are responsive to high-demand sectors and occupations,” said Mike Kehoe, Missouri governor. “The State of Missouri stands ready to work alongside our colleges to advance this initiative.”
A Statewide Partnership
STLCC will administer the $10.8 million award and issue subawards to Missouri’s community colleges, the Missouri Community College Association and the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development.
The state will also work with participating colleges to build systems to track required program and student data. A statewide data integration task force will bring together institutional research representatives from participating colleges and state data staff on a quarterly basis.
This work will help create a coordinated system to support programs seeking Workforce Pell eligibility.
“Missouri’s community colleges are essential partners in building the state’s talent pipeline,” said Bennett G. Boggs, PhD, commissioner, Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. “MDHEWD is committed to supporting the coordination, technical assistance, data alignment and systems development necessary for successful implementation of the MoPAACT throughout the grant period.”
The award was one of a limited number of grants made nationally and was the second-highest award amount among the selected states.
Through the initiative, STLCC and its partners will work to make short-term workforce programs more accessible, strengthen partnerships with employers and create more opportunities for Missourians to gain skills for high-demand careers.
