Business owners, school officials and government employees are putting their heads together to make a plan for bringing a technical college to Warren County.An exploratory committee is developing the plans necessary to launch such a school in Warren County. The committee represents various community interests and is organized by the Greater Warren County Economic Development Council (GWCEDC). The goal of the exploratory committee is to develop an affordable training program that will equip local job candidates with skills to meet the ever evolving needs of area businesses.“Businesses are facing an ever widening technical skills gap. They struggle to find employees with the required skills and experiences essential to do the job,” said GWCEDC President Wayne Baker.The exploratory committee is working to research options for addressing the needs of postsecondary education in the community, identifying training needs and gaps, and working with educational partners to develop a concept and financing plan. The findings of the committee will eventually be presented to regional leaders.“Our high school graduates and other individuals in the community are seeking an accessible, effective and affordable path to further their skill sets and secure well-paying jobs for their families,” said Leon Busdieker, co-chair of the exploratory committee. “I believe it takes a community of business leaders, educators and dedicated citizens working together to devise a plan to fulfill the needs of employers and potential employees.”Fellow Co-Chair Ricky Gastorf reinforced that collaboration is an important aspect of the project.“The exploratory committee includes representatives from throughout our community,” Gastorf said. “This is a collaborative effort between the business community, the public sector, and educators to attract and retain jobs in our community.”The committee kicked off its planning effort with a meeting in January 2018 and will present recommendations in the coming months.Warren County R-III Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jill Schowe said that the school district values the chance to receive input about educational opportunities in the community.“We feel this is an opportunity for a group of stakeholders across the entire community . . . to come together to do the research,” Schowe said at a public meeting in January.She said around 75 students currently are bused to Four Rivers Career Center in Washington for technical classes.Incoming Superintendent Dr. Gregg Klinginsmith and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Aaron Jones represent the school district on the committee exploring the college proposal, Schowe said.Karen Girondo, Wright City’s treasurer and city clerk, is another committee member. She said the first meeting was highly productive.“It was a 90 minute meeting, and we got more accomplished in that 90 minutes than I’ve ever seen a committee do,” Girondo said. “It’s a really diverse, good committee, and if we can get this to go, it’s just going to be great.”As proposed, the technical college in Warren County would be under the umbrella of either St. Charles Community College or East Central College. Questionnaires have been sent to both school systems, asking how they would meet the needs of the local community if they were to open a campus here.Voters within the Warren County and Wright City school districts would likely have to approve joining the taxing district of one of the community college systems to bring a campus to Warren County.WeldingStock image