Sikeston Career and Technology Center is thrilled to announce we were awarded the Missouri Department of Economic Development Workforce Training Grant for $3 million today, 1/24/2023. The grant is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act. The purpose of the grant is to provide training to add to Missouri's workforce. Chad King, SCTC Director said, “This is a great opportunity for us to grow, especially now in the times of need for skilled trades.” Sikeston Career and Technology Center classes have been successfully filled for years. 

Sikeston Career and Technology Center, in partnership with the Sikeston Regional Chamber and Area Economic Development Corporation, was 1 of 19 applicants to receive the grant, 1 of 3 to receive the highest allowed amount $3 million, and the only high school to receive the grant in Missouri. "I'm grateful for the relationship between our district and our community partners that led to this amazing opportunity to write and receive this grant. Thank you to everyone involved; together we will have a huge impact on our region,” Sikeston Public Schools Superintendent, Shannon Holifield said. The grant was written by Chad King- SCTC Director, Marcie Lawson- Sikeston Regional Chamber and Area Economic Development Corporation CEO, Cheryl Essner- Sikeston Public Schools Finance Director, Brent Trankler- SCTC Welding Technology Instructor, and Matt Drake- Sikeston Board of Education Vice President. "To recieve this funding is an incredible win for Sikeston Public Schools and our entire community," said Lawson "The expansion of SCTC will have a positive and timely impact on our area's workforce as we continue our efforts to make Sikeston a great place to live and work."

In addition to the $3 million from the ARPA Grant, SCTC has been awarded the Missouri Area Career Center Opportunity Grant and the DESE Construction Grant. Along with money put in by the school we are going to have $5 million to add to new programs, and upgrade and expand our current programs. The grant money is going to be used to purchase the vacant building at 1401 E Malone Ave. in Sikeston. The building is going to be gutted, brought up to code, and updated throughout 2/3 of the space, with space to expand in the future. Tiffany Morgan, Sikeston Public Schools Assistant Superintendent of Secondary and Professional Development added, "This is a great opportunity for our district and community to work together to prepare our students to fulfill the needs of our workforce in our community. Our students deserve the best!" The programs added are going to be firefighter training, EMT training, and doubling our current welding program.