“My brother saw it on the news and knew it’d be something I’d like,” said Luetkemeyer, 20, who was raised in rural Osage County and has a strong attachment to the outdoors. Now, instead of working at the grocery, he spends his days in Rock Bridge guiding interpretive tours. Launched by Governor Jay Nixon, the SPYC program offers temporary, summer employment to nearly 1,000 Missourians ages 17 to 24 at Missouri’s 85 state parks and historic sites. The idea is for participants to “Think Outside” by enhancing the beauty of the state parks and participating in their operation with jobs that range from weed eating to web design. SPYC is implemented by local Workforce Investment Boards in conjunction with the Department of Natural Resources. At Rock Bridge, the program is operated by the Central Missouri Community Action Agency (CMCA), which selects applicants who qualify by income.

Statewide, parks have used the influx of youth corps labor to start or finish big projects which were tabled because of lack of manpower. At Rock Bridge, Superintendent Jim Gast said he intends to use the youth corps to maintain the grounds as well as complete other maintenance projects, such as painting. Gast said he is pleased with the applicants provided by CMCA.

“I’ve been really impressed with the people we’ve had out here,” said Gast.

Although he takes on maintenance work (such as “invasive species control,” which he said is a euphemism for weed pulling), Luetkemeyer’s main responsibility as an interpretive aide is to guide group tours through the “boardwalk” trail. He describes the geology, wildlife, and plant life of the region, focusing on one area of interest occasionally to cater to the needs of specific groups. Shortly after he was hired, Luetkemeyer attended a three day training course at Lake of the Ozarks State Park where he learned how to give an effective presentation. He had to quickly develop a comprehensive knowledge of Missouri’s natural resources, but it was a welcome task.

“I’m still learning a lot. It’s a continual process,” he said. “But it’s a rewarding challenge. It’s not like memorizing a textbook. It’s tangible.”

On the boardwalk, Luetkemeyer is friendly, helpful, and confident. It’s obvious he’s familiar with his subjects as he explains how caves are formed, and how early settlers harnessed the water to power mills. Occasionally, he hops over the wooden banister to perform some “invasive species control” on bush honeysuckle he spies.

“This grows all over the place,” he said. “I didn’t know what it was until I started doing this.”

All down the trail, at every stop, Luetkemeyer always mentions how children perceive the particular features. In the Devils Icebox Cave, Luetkemeyer is reminded of the highlight of his job: teaching children. He looks for bats because they never fail to delight the kids. He scans the ceiling with his flashlight but there are none at the moment. The cave is cool, dark, and peaceful, with only the gentle sound of the creek rolling over the limestone.

“I feel fortunate I got this job,” he said. “It definitely beats bagging groceries.”

When asked if the youth corps experience has changed his education plans, he replied with a smile.
“The business degree is not looking nearly as attractive now.”

There are still openings in SPYC. Interested applicants should contact a local Missouri Career Center.

Story and photos by Joe Hawkins, Journalist/Grant Writer for the Central Region Workforce Investment Board.

A stream team, the first ever at Montauk, wades through the cold waters and scours the banks for trash, cutting down “death lines” of hanging fishing lines and hooks which snare birds and bats.

“Each one of these projects has their own stories of success,” explains Steve Bost, Montauk park naturalist, as he holds a thick folder filled with other projects he intends to tackle. It’s a wish list of sorts, and its beginning to come true despite budget restrictions and manpower shortages.

The makeover of Montauk is possible because of a new program called the State Parks Youth Corps (SPYC). Governor Jay Nixon launched the program to provide much needed labor to Missouri’s state parks and much needed employment to Missourians ages 17 to 24. Nearly 1,000 young men and women are offered temporary, summer employment at Missouri’s 85 state parks and historic sites — working jobs which vary from trail maintenance to web design. A chief goal of SPYC is to encourage participants to “Think Outside” by working on projects which enhance Missouri’s natural resources.
At Montauk, Bost quickly recognized what SPYC could do for the park. He’s always made the best of available resources, but reductions were unavoidable.

“We were so short staffed,” he explained. “We had to cut back on programs.”

Montauk received a labor boost when more than two dozen SPYC members were scheduled to work. Fiscally, it’s even more advantageous to park because it’s not writing any SPYC paychecks. The program is implemented by local Workforce Investment Boards. The Central Ozark Private Industry Council based in Rolla operates SPYC at Montauk and funds the program. Applicants qualify by income and are interviewed in depth by park staff before hiring. Bost said he’s very impressed with the attitude and work ethic of the people who wanted applied for the corps.

“They’re not just thinking about today, they’re thinking about how it’s going to affect the future. They’re having a significant, long term impact on the quality of the park.”

Bost said there is “a good cross section of talent” that he tried to match with the projects at Montauk. They are assigned or choose jobs based on existing skills, as well as jobs which follow their enthusiasms.

Kaylyn Dalbom, 19, of Plato, has a commitment to environmental preservation. She and Emily Karnes, 18, of Edgar Springs, spend most of their mornings striping layers of garbage (“pick up one layer, uncover another, it never stops,” says Karnes) from an old dump on the park used from the 1920s until the 1970s.

“It’s kind of disheartening people did this back then,” said Dalbom. “But, I guess they didn’t know better.”

They’ve dubbed it “the motherpile,” and a shift there is part archeology, part rubbish removal. Little treasures are often found, including an antique, hand painted, ceramic doll’s head crafted in Germany. They’re taken to another SPYC member who researches and catalogues historical items.

Zach Fitzwater, a 22 year old student at Missouri S&T, has put in a lot of hours to make the mill what Bost describes as “the cleanest it’s been in five years.” The long term goal is restore the mill back to original condition under water power. It’s a long process that began with Fitzwater, who has literally worked from top to bottom to begin the restoration. One aspect which makes cleaning a challenge is the influence of bats that have colonized the mill. Though they eat many thousands of mosquitos, the bats also leave behind equal thousands of unpleasant mementos which can damage historic items. Fitzwater has installed bat-proof netting to keep the bats away from the most sensitive property. It’s important to Fitzwater on personal level to protect the history of the mill. When he gives tours, he emphasizes to children how historical places are fragile and irreplaceable.

“Kids take this stuff for granted,” said Fitzwater. “But once it’s gone, it’s gone.”

SPYC workers are also working with maintenance staff to keep grass trimmed and camp sites clean. Several buildings in the park need roofs re-shingled, and the youth corps has taken the task. A trail maintenance crew is opening trails which have overgrown, and several landscaping projects are ongoing. A plant bed in front of the lodge is currently being replanted with native wildflowers with the specific design of attracting hummingbirds.

Bost likes to remind the SPYC workers that in 1935, the park was built by young people like themselves. Hundreds of thousands of teenagers and twenty somethings were hired into the Civilian Conservation Corps during the great depression and put to work in projects which restored America’s natural resources and improved access to parks.

For those who are interested in a career in wildlife science, forestry, or similar studies, SPYC can be a quite a stepping stone. For a summer paycheck, it can be an interesting experience. Whether they’re studying for a GED or a college graduate, youth corps workers can leave the program at Montauk with a lesson in renewal.

“There’s an eagles nest in what was a dump,” said Bost. “What could be a better token of restoration than that?”

There are still openings in SPYC. Interested applicants should contact a local Missouri Career Center.

Story and photos by Joe Hawkins, Journalist/Grant Writer for the Central Region Workforce Investment Board.

Called the State Parks Youth Corps (SPYC), the program offers temporary employment at Missouri’s 85 state parks and historic sites to job seekers ages 17 to 24. Nearly 1,000 will be hired before the program ends in September. Launched by Governor Jay Nixon and implemented by Missouri’s Local Workforce Investment Boards in conjunction with the Missouri Division of Workforce Development and Department of Natural Resources, the program is intended to increase environmental awareness as well as job opportunities for Missouri youth. The bonus for Missourians is the extra hands at the parks. At Lake of the Ozarks State Park, the additional help has allowed the staff to play catch up with projects they often don’t have time to focus on.

“They really plugged in to help us out,” explained Bill Arnold, Assistant District Supervisor for the Ozark Region of DNR. “We’re pleased with what we have. They’re doing tasks park staff doesn’t have the time or manpower to do.”

SPYC is reminiscent of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s, which provided temporary employment to hundreds of thousands in projects which restored and protected the environment. Nixon wanted the same spirit of conservation in SPYC, which encourages participants to “Think Outside” (the motto on their green uniform t-shirts) by working on projects which beautify Missouri’s state parks. Park visitors will see them working on trails, maintaining campsites, and just about anything the staff can think of. Today, a youth corps crew of four is cleaning the bathroom facilities at the outpost cabins. Though not a glorious job, they only hesitate a little before wielding their brushes, rags, and cleaner. Joel Schaffner, a Mizzou student and summer intern at the park, supervises.

“I lucked out getting these guys today. They work really hard,” he said.

“I don’t mind,” said Zak Crowder, 17, of Kaiser, as he cleans sinks in the men’s room. He’s an ice hockey enthusiast who hopes to go to college on a scholarship. Crowder said he likes working outside but does not want to do this for a career. He wanted to work for SPYC because the hours were appealing.

“I get a lot of hours,” he said. The pizza place he worked at previously did not offer enough. “Instead of working two days a week, I’m working five.”

For Caleb Wright, 17, of Iberia, the attraction is the job. He wants to work for the state and hopes this will increase his chance of future employment. He said he enjoys the work, and recommended the corps to a friend who is interviewing for a job next week.

“I’d like to do it again, or get on here full time,” Wright said.

There are still openings in SPYC. Interested applicants should contact a local Missouri Career Center.

Story and photos by Joe Hawkins, Journalist/Grant Writer for the Central Region Workforce Investment Board.

They fit the planks together carefully and tap them into place with jabs of their palms. They work for the State Parks Youth Corps (SPYC), a program which offers temporary, summer employment to people ages 17 to 24. Although he’d rather be working outside, to Lopez, 17, flooring still nets a paycheck.

“Its full time,” said Lopez, explaining his motivation for joining SPYC. “And it’s outdoors, except for days like this. I thought it’d be interesting, hard work… I’d rather do this than sit in an office or work fast food.”

SPYC is operated at Finger Lakes by the Central Missouri Community Action agency. Implemented by Missouri’s local Workforce Investment Boards in association with the Missouri Division of Workforce Development and Department of Natural Resources, SPYC will offer nearly 1,000 jobs to those who qualify by income. SPYC was designed to provide employment, job training, and inspiration to Missouri’s young people. The program, initiated by Governor Jay Nixon in February, wants participants to “Think Outside” by preserving and enhancing natural resources at Missouri’s 85 state parks and historic sites. SPYC members are working at everything from web design to trail maintenance. For Lopez, who is working on a GED as well, the experience has deepened his value of the park.

“I didn’t realize how hard the people work to keep the parks clean. I respect the parks more now,” he said, and grinned. “I find myself telling my friends to keep their trash picked up if they want to come to the park.”

The young men are part of the Trail Building and Maintenance crew. Their daily duties include clearing litter, maintaining campsites, and weed eating in addition to other tasks. Dan Couch, Park Maintenance Worker III and supervisor of SPYC at Finger Lakes, said the boost of labor SPYC provided allowed the park to work on special projects, such as the bicycle trail. Couch said the trail (designed in conjunction with the Osage Regional Trail Association) is being constructed by low impact methods. Heavy machinery is not used, only hand tools and muscle, and it’s a tough job. Couch has nothing but praise for the people on his crew, but admits he was skeptical of SPYC at first. As a building contractor for 14 years, he’s hired summer help before and was worried he and the park staff would wind up babysitting.

“I’ve worked with high school kids and college kids and most of the time what you get is a lot of standing around talking about the weekend,” he said. “This is a good group. It helps that they really want to be here. They’re really working hard.”

Lowry, 22, currently lives in Columbia and is finishing a degree at Mizzou in Fisheries and Wildlife Management. He read about SPYC in a school wide e-mail. Lowry intends to become a conservation agent, and figured this would be good experience to add to his resume as well as extra income during a school break.

“It’s a perfect job for the summer,” said Lowry. “I like it a lot. It’s good exercise and it’s outdoors.”
Eighteen year old Nachbar of Columbia also heard of SPYC through school. He applied online and is particularly glad to work at Finger Lakes because it’s close to his home. He said SPYC is a good fit for him because he enjoys hunting and fishing.

“It goes along with my hobbies,” smiled Nachbar, who plans on eventually joining the military. “I like the outdoor experience.”

There are still openings in SPYC. Interested applicants should contact a local Missouri Career Center.

Story and photos by Joe Hawkins, Journalist/Grant Writer for the Central Region Workforce Investment Board.

“I think it’s a really good program,” said Johannsen, of Clinton, MO, but currently residing in Steeleville. He graduated in the spring from Northwest Missouri State University (which he attended on a cross country and track scholarship) with a degree in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation “It’s good for the parks. I think Missourians are outdoor oriented, and this lets the public get out to enjoy what we have.”

The program was implemented by Missouri’s local Workforce Investment Boards in conjunction with the Missouri Division of Workforce Development and the Department of Natural Resources. Launched by Governor Jay Nixon in February, SPYC will offer nearly 1,000 jobs to applicants eligible by income. A goal of SPYC is for participants to “Think Outside” by preserving and enhancing Missouri’s natural resources. SPYC members are working at a wide range of jobs from web design and historical research to concessions. Many, like Johannsen, are simply beautifying the state parks. He learned of SPYC from a professor at Northwest Missouri.

“I thought it’d be a good experience working with the state,” he said. “I think it’d be neat to work in the National Parks and this is a good place to start.”

Johannsen always wanted to work in conservation protecting wildlife, specifically endangered species. Even in high school he knew he wanted to perform hands on research out in the field. He said in college many people change their course of study, unsure of their goals.

“I never thought about changing majors. I always knew what I wanted to do.”

At Dillard Mill, Johannsen doesn’t have the opportunity to do research, but he does see plenty of wildlife. Despite the ticks and chiggers (which he pointed out are worse of the two) he said he enjoys being on the trail. It suits his need to be outside and in nature. In addition to trail maintenance, he and Rick Brown, Park Maintenance Worker II, have worked together cleaning the waterway of the historic mill for which the park is named.

“I hate to see him go,” said Brown, who is Johannsen’s supervisor. “I’d like to keep him for a couple more summers.”

Johannsen’s immediate plans for the summer include marrying his fiancé and moving to Hawaii for an internship at Volcanoes National Park. There he will research and protect the nesting sites of the endangered Hawksbill Turtle. For now, he said he is happy to work in SPYC at Dillard Mill. He believes the program benefits the parks and shows their commitment to visitors.

“It sends a message that Missouri is serious about conservation.”

There are still openings in SPYC. Applicants should have an interest in outdoor work. For more information contact Work Connections in Cuba (573) 885-4413, Salem (573) 729-7137, or the Missouri Career Center in Rolla (573) 364-7030.

Story and photos by Joe Hawkins, Journalist/Grant Writer for the Central Region Workforce Investment Board.

The $47,935 grant, submitted by the Boone County Commission and approved by the C-WIB, will be used to conduct a study on gaps in the labor supply in Boone County and to identify the need for training among its residents.

In 2008, a task force that included members from the county commission, Columbia City Council, the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Regional Economic Development Inc. and several educational institutions began planning for the long-term economic expansion of the region by identifying a model for work force development as well as actions needed to achieve it.

An article in the Columbia Daily Record quoted Russ Unger, apprentice coordinator for the Sheet Metal Workers Local 36 and a board member of C-WIB, as saying that the board decided to fund the study because it will provide a foundation for improving adult education and technical training in the community.

“The skill sets for the jobs of the future will be different than they are today,” Unger said.

“We need to stay competitive in attracting new businesses to our community.”

The grant funding, which will be administered by REDI, is seed money meant to get the process started.

The task force plans to organize a group of about 100 people - The Tech Training 100 - to help find additional startup resourcess, identify longer-term funding and be poised to begin technical training and job skill development programs as soon as the assessment is complete.

The plan will be available for review for the period of May 27, 2010 through June 27, 2010 at the Missouri Career Center office, 1202 Forum Drive, Rolla, Missouri 65401 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Interested parties may petition the Governor within fifteen (15) days of submission for disapproval of the plan if:

1) The Party(ies) can demonstrate that it represents a substantial client interest;

2) The Party(ies) took appropriate steps to present its views and seek resolution of disputed issues prior to submission of the Plan to the Governor; and

3) The request for disapproval is based on a violation of statutory requirements.

Comments concerning the plan may be directed to one of the following addresses:

Janet A. Vaughn, Executive Director
Central Region Workforce Investment Board
1202 Forum Drive, Rolla, Missouri 65401

James R. Dickerson, Chairman
Central Region Workforce Investment Board
P.O Box 786
Camdenton, Missouri 65020

Division of Workforce Development
Planning and Research Section
P.O. Box 1087
Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-1087

“We need a new science and technology revolution in the Show-Me State,” Nixon told about 120 academic, corporate and economic development representatives at the Lake of the Ozarks conference. “With this funding source behind it, it’s my belief we can get to it.”

The plan would divert an annual portion of the new tax revenues generated by biotechnology companies to a special state fund, from which incentives could be doled out to new or expanding entrepreneurs in the same field.

Kansas adopted a similar incentive model five years ago to lure agricultural and biological firms and
researchers. The Kansas Bioscience Authority estimates its funding will top $580 million over 15 years. And the state recently won an intense competition for a new $450 million national biodefense laboratory.

Missouri is already home to some top university and private-sector researchers in the life sciences. But
economic development officials say Missouri is lagging when it comes to converting that research into
commercial ventures.

On December 15, the state also launched a $12 million grant program for community colleges and local governments to create or expand technical education programs. The grants are specifically aimed at veterinary and pharmacy technicians, nursing aides and skilled crafts. They will be funded through a federal block grant program.