LUNCHEON SPONSOR

Chairman Bill Westerheide opened the December Chamber Luncheon and welcomed attendees. He thanked the Excelsior Springs Job Corps Center for their sponsorship. He introduced Lori Sams, Center Director.

“Our team always jokes we are the best kept secret across the nation,” said Lori. She introduced team members who were present.

The Center provides training opportunities for 346 on-campus residents and has 90 additional students who reside off-campus. Persons age 16 to 24 years are qualified for the program, offered free to the student. The Excelsior Springs Job Corps Center offers training in six labor industries: welding, construction, health care, homeland security, hospitality, and transportation. Students are able to earn their high school diploma or the equivalent through a partnership the Center has with the Excelsior Springs High School. Students may also take community college classes while living on campus.

Focus for the local Job Corps Center in 2025 will be filling trainer slots and staff vacancies, developing partnerships within the community, and raising graduation rates. Focus for the Department of Labor includes national employer partnerships including HUD, Disney, ship building companies and more.

“We have modified our free time leave for students,” said Lori. “Our Top 2 Incentive Level Students will be able to shop and dine out in Excelsior Springs on evening and weekends. We have students who work in the community, as well.”