Connect with Ozarks Tech advances a shared commitment to developing skilled talent and building thriving communities in southwest Missouri.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Ozarks Tech is strengthening its commitment to workforce development in southwest Missouri through Connect with Ozarks Tech, a collaborative event focused on developing and maintaining long-term relationships with local employers and industry leaders.
The event reflects the college’s role as a regional leader in preparing students for in‑demand careers that support local economies. Attendees will learn comprehensive ways to work with the college and support student success, from shaping curriculum to scholarship investment.
A key focus of the event is Ozarks Tech’s program advisory committees, which help ensure classroom learning stays aligned with current workforce needs. These committees bring industry professionals directly into decision-making by guiding what students learn, what equipment they train on and advising on the skills local employers value most.
“All of our career and technical programs are guided by advisory committees made up of experienced industry professionals,” said Ozarks Tech Chancellor Hal Higdon. “Their insight helps us stay aligned with industry expectations and respond as workforce needs change.”
Every career and technical education program at Ozarks Tech has an advisory committee, usually made up of 8 to 15 industry representatives. Across the college, more than 40 committees support programs tied to a wide range of careers, including health care, construction and cybersecurity.
Beyond serving on committees, Ozarks Tech’s partners regularly hire graduates, participate in mock interviews, speak in classrooms and teach as adjunct faculty. Their invaluable experience and industry access help students develop the job skills that local employers want.
The college’s collaborative approach works, according to the Ozarks Tech Office of Institutional Research. Around 90% of the college’s career and technical program graduates are working or continuing their education within six months of completion. Most stay within southwest Missouri, which directly benefits our communities. Connect with Ozarks Tech is an invitation-only event on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
Employers interested in serving on an advisory committee are encouraged to contact the Ozarks Tech Career, Technical and Community Development Office at (417) 447-8101.