Missouri's up-and-coming security professionals just got their ticket to the industry. In a series of ceremonies across the state, 21 young Missourians graduated from the Missouri Security Operations Center (MOSOC) Training Program, part of the Career Opportunity Training for Youth (COTY) initiative. The eight-week program, supported by the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, provides high school seniors and young adults up to age 24 with professional certification designed to enhance employment opportunities.
"We are proud to recognize these students and celebrate their monumental achievement," Dr. Bennett Boggs, Commissioner of MDHEWD, stated in a press release. The graduates are now versed in technologies ranging from robotics to AI. The program not only handed them the theoretical knowledge but also made them skilled through 24 hours of focused training on workplace readiness and risk assessments tailored for various dangerous situations.
This MOSOC Training Program is an evident stride towards preparing the youth for the dynamic landscape of the high-tech security industry. Julie Carter, Director of the Office of Workforce Development, articulated her enthusiasm in a statement available on the same MDHEWD press release, "This initiative breaks down employment barriers and provides a direct career path within the dynamic high-tech security industry."
The ceremonies, held at key locations including the Columbia Job Center, the Missouri Innovation Campus in Lee’s Summit, and Urban League – South St. Louis, signify the wide reach and the success of the program's third cohort till now. Photos of the graduation ceremonies are accessible to the public on the MDHEWD page.
Individuals interested in the program can contact Youth Career Coach David “DJ” Johnson at [email protected] for more information. The COTY program is designed to connect educational training with career opportunities for young adults.
