Workforce

As the fastest-growing county in Missouri, St. Charles County can provide the skilled workforce companies need to be successful, thanks to a constant influx of new talent and easy access to a regional labor shed of over one million.

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Million+
Labor shed
K
Population
#
Fastest-growing county in Missouri
%
of new job growth in the STL region

St. Charles County Resources

St. Charles County's well-educated and skilled workforce is highly sought-after throughout the St. Louis metro area. The County is home to a wide variety of organizations and programs that can help companies recruit and train team members, sometimes at no cost. 

State & Local Resources

Missouri Job Center of St. Charles County

Providing workforce services to connect employers with workers and workers with jobs and career training. Programs include apprenticeships, on-the-job training funds, youth employment, veterans workforce programs, and more. Learn more 

Missouri One Start

Offered through the Missouri Department of Economic Development, One Start provides no-cost, tailored workforce strategies including pre-employment services, workforce recruitment, and customized training. Learn more

Technical Schools

Ranken Technical College West

One of the region's premier technical schools, Ranken's Wentzville campus offers hands-on technical training and general education in areas such as automotive maintenance, diesel technology, building systems engineering, electrical automation, information technology, application, and web development, and applied management. Learn more

St. Charles Community College

In addition to its already impressive two-year degree offerings, St. Charles Community College is working on plans to build a $50 million technical training and workforce center along I-70 in Wentzville. Learn more

High School Programs & Recruitment Events

St. Charles County School districts still emphasize skills once taught in Shop and Industrial Arts classes. Now known as Career Technical Education (CTE), these courses teach skills such as metalworking, woodworking, computer drafting, and more. Thousands of students take these classes each year, resulting in a robust pipeline of trades talent.

Build My Future

Nearly 2,300 students from over 50 school districts and over 70 businesses and organizations participated in this annual trades-focused career fair in 2023. Learn more

Lewis and Clark Career Center*

The Lewis & Clark Career Center offers half-day technical training in 15 program areas for local high school juniors and seniors. Students explore their career interests while earning industry certification and (in many cases) college credit. Learn more

Manufacturing Day

Celebrated in early October, Manufacturing Day connects students and manufacturers via facility tours and special events held throughout the community. Learn more

St. Charles County CAPS program*

CAPS is a national program that gives high school students behind-the-scenes experiences with local businesses. Current strands include IT, global business/entrepreneurship, and healthcare. Learn more

St. Charles County Job Fair & Career Expo

Each spring, this career fair connects employers to graduating high school seniors and their parents. Learn more

Zumwalt Apprenticeship Program

This Department of Labor-certified apprenticeship program exposes students to skilled trade careers and provides paid, on-the-job training with local manufacturers. Students can also receive credit hours towards a Skilled Trades Associate of Arts degree. Learn more

Two & Four-Year Colleges

Lindenwood University

Lindenwood is a private university with over 7,000 students, offering 120+ liberal arts degree programs. The NCAA Division 1 school connects students with local businesses through its workforce development efforts including job fairs, internships, and other programs. Learn more

St. Charles Community College

This public, two-year institution offers associate degrees and certificate programs in business, science, and arts fields. The college also partners with local employers on internships, apprenticeships, curriculum development, workforce development, and career placement services. Learn more

Affordability

With a low cost of living, vibrant cultural attractions, and an abundance of professional sports franchises, both Missouri and the St. Louis region are considered incredibly attractive places to launch a career, raise a family, and enjoy an award-winning quality of life. 

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metro to launch a career
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most affordable metro for new grads
th
highest standard of living among US metros
th
most affordable state to purchase a home

Missouri: A National Workforce Leader

Missouri recognizes that developing and attracting a skilled workforce is a must for companies to be successful. Recent initiatives have resulted in the state catapulting to the top of national on-the-job training and apprenticeship rankings.

th
in the nation for new apprentices
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in the nation for active apprentices
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in the nation for on-the-job training programs
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in the nation for completed apprenticeships

State Workforce Incentives