By Janice Phelan,
November 17, 2022

Two Missouri Innovation Campus (MIC) programs were recently named Registered Apprenticeship Programs through the U.S. Department
of Labor, following a comprehensive application and evaluation process. The two programs
– Cybersecurity and Software Development – are the first MIC programs to earn this
designation.
The Missouri Innovation Campus program is a partnership including the University of
Central Missouri, the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District’s Summit Technology Academy,
Metropolitan Community College and industry-leading business partners. It provides
motivated students with career-ready skills and the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s
degree just two years after high-school graduation – all with little or not debt.
Stan Elliott, MIC program director, and Gentry Scavuzzo, MIC internship coordinator,
worked with the Department of Labor on the two applications. Both Cybersecurity and
Software Development were approved during National Apprenticeship Week, held Nov.
14 through 20 this year.
SS&C Technologies will serve as UCM's initial business partner for the MIC Registered
Apprenticeship Programs with additional partners announced soon. In addition, SS&C
was one of the first business partners to join the Missouri Innovation Campus program
in 2012.
“Registered Apprenticeship is an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where
employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain
paid work experience, receive progressive wage increases, classroom instruction and
a portable, nationally recognized credential,” according to the Department of Labor
webpage. “Registered Apprenticeships are industry-vetted and approved and validated
by the U.S. Department of Labor or a State Apprenticeship Agency.”
The national program also enables and encourages employers to participate in apprenticeships
and access a larger, well-trained talent pool. This effort helps meet industry demands
while reducing unemployment rates throughout the nation. Key components of the Department
of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Program include an industry-vetted and approved
process to ensure alignment with industry standards, a paid job for the students,
structured on-the-job learning and mentorship, supplemental education, diversity,
quality, safety and credentials.
According to the Department of Labor, a total of 93 percent of apprentices who complete
a Registered Apprenticeship retain their employment with an average annual salary
of $77,000.
The one-of-a-kind Missouri Innovation Campus program started in 2012 with one academic
program and three MIC business partners. Since then, the program has expanded to include
70 business partners and five programs: Software Development, Software Engineering,
Cybersecurity, Design and Drafting and Big Data/Business Analytics.
Students enter the program their junior year in high school, attending dual-credit
courses at Summit Technology Academy as well as dual enrollment coursework the summer
before their junior year.
Through this four-year program students are able to earn a bachelor’s degree just
two years after graduating high school while also participating in three year, year-round,
paid internships with one of the MIC program business partners.