
J Scott Christianson is a Democratic candidate for the office of Boone County Presiding Commissioner. He was the former vice-chair and then chair of the Boone County Democratic Central Committee. Since 2008, Scott has been part of the Boone County Citizen’s Task Force for Postsecondary Adult and Technical Education and Training, which just received a grant of $47,935 from the Central Workforce Investment Board to conduct a Workforce Development Study in Boone County.
BCDP: Why is this study important for economic development efforts in Boone County ?
J. Scott Christianson: Economic development requires a well-trained, highly skilled workforce and the capacity for “just-in-time” training. In Boone County we have an excellent higher education system that produce world-class professionals. We also have local unions that do a great job training those individuals entering skilled trades. There are a large number of skilled technical jobs, however, currently in life sciences and in health care professions for which we currently do not have sufficient training capacity. This study will help us determine what particular gaps exist in Boone County regarding technical training, and how we can fill those gaps without duplicating existing programs. If we can’t train people to do these new, high paying next-generation jobs, we will not be able to attract and retain companies that might otherwise plan to move into Boone County and offer these types of opportunities.
BCDP: What is the next step after this study?
J.S.C: Actually, the next step starts today with the formation of the “Tech 100 Committee,” a committee of 100 community leaders who will use the information gathered from this study to advance a coordinated vision for technical training in Boone County. As a group, they will help find funding sources to make the training a reality. The Workforce Development Study will specify the gaps in local technical education, and the Tech 100 group—with the support of the community—will address those gaps.
BCDP: How will this impact the job of the next Presiding Commissioner?
J.S.C.: It is important to realize that we are no longer just competing with other counties or cities in Missouri for jobs. Boone County is now competing with regions all around the United States and the rest of the world. When the next Presiding Commissioner courts potential employers who require highly skilled lab technicians in order to locate in Boone County, we must be able to show these companies we have the capacity to provide them with the skilled technicians they need.
You can find out more about the Workforce Development Study and Scott’s campaign on his website: www.Scott4Presiding.com.