“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results”- Albert Einstein

There are currently 10.9 million unfilled jobs in the U.S. Most state and regional business are struggling to recruit and retain a skilled workforce; and between COVID, retiring baby boomers and a decreasing school age population, the future looks even bleaker. For Missouri to have a strong economy something must change! Missouri’s economy is lagging behind most of the nation in that our young people are leaving school unprepared for the workforce.

A 2019 analysis by Forbes found Missouri Ranked 37 in labor supply among all 50 states and a 2018 ranking from CNBC ranked the state as 41st in Workforce quality. Research by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce shows that only 44 percent of Missouri business owners are satisfied with the state’s availability of skilled workers. Only 15 percent of Missouri business owners agree that high schools are preparing our students for the workforce; with only 42 percent of Missouri business owners agreeing that colleges provide preparation for the workforce. In fact, more than half of Missouri Students are not level proficiency in math or reading and most lack any of the soft skills required in the 21st century workforce.

So how do we prepare, recruit and retain the next generation workforce in Missouri? Come listen to Stan Shoun, former President and CEO of Ranken Technical College, discuss a variety of ongoing initiatives at the national, state, and local levels that change the career progression of our current and next generation workforce. The presentation will also include a glimpse of the St. Louis Technology Triangle which includes the biosciences, geospatial and advanced manufacturing sectors: and a preview of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Center (AMIC); a 145,000 square feet, $53 million, research and development center as the new cornerstone of the manufacturing sector.

Speaker: Stan Shoun

Former Ranken President and CEO Stan Shoun brings a background of military service, a degree in aeronautical engineering and a long career in technical education to his position. Embarking on a second career in education after retiring from the US Navy in 1996, Shoun served most recently as the Vice President of Workforce Development and Continuing Education at Central Virginia Community College (CVCC) in Lynchburg, Va., and also served as that college’s Dean of Math, Science and Engineering.

In his time at CVCC, Shoun oversaw four satellite campuses. He led in the establishment of two additional satellite campuses as well as numerous new classes and associate degree programs.

Before CVCC, Shoun served as the director of the A. Linwood Holton Governor’s School in Southwest Virginia, providing oversight for the day-to-day operations of a virtual school for gifted and talented students. The school provided math, science and engineering classes to 38 high schools in 12 school districts in Southwest Virginia.

Shoun holds a Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School and a Bachelor of Science degree (cum laude) from East Tennessee State University, where he majored in political science, public administration and education. He is also a graduate of the Naval War College where he studied political science and international affairs.

MML Event Details
November 12th, 2021
7:15 – 8:00 am – Networking
8:00 – 8:45 am – Presentation
8:45 – 9:00 am – Question & Answer

Event Location
The Lodge Des Peres
1050 Des Peres Rd.
St Louis, MO 63131

Event Registration