State Fair Community College is the economic engine for Central Missouri. Multiple programs in highly sought technical fields provide students with skilled, hands-on learning that lead to one- and two-year professional certificates or associate degrees.
Partnerships and collaborations with area industries help identify vital training opportunities and programs that meet and exceed industry standards to attract and sustain a skilled workforce. Industry partners provide input on curriculum, customized training opportunities for new and existing workers, mentorships, apprenticeships and jobs for students in all technical areas.
Efforts to maintain these career programs and partnerships require more resources, including physical space. The human resources and existing facilities are at capacity and, if the college is to continue offering these technical programs and fulfill obligations to industry partners, SFCC will need to increase its learning labs and services for in-demand fields such as welding and precision machining. Especially during times of uncertainty, job security provides a comforting and stable foundation for individuals and families to navigate life’s unexpected twists and turns.
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To meet a growing demand for technical workforce training, SFCC seeks to build the Olen Howard Workforce Innovation Center and renovate a portion of the Fielding building into a Center for Excellence. These two facilities will increase the college’s capacity to deliver workforce training by 200% and increase enrollment by at least 120% in career and technical areas. The Olen Howard Workforce Innovation Center will provide expanded lab and classroom spaces for training in welding, precision machining, industrial technology, leadership and supervisory skills and logistics. It also will house a new pre-apprenticeship program. Renovations to Fielding will provide a Center for Excellence to include a climate, refrigeration and energy control (HVAC) lab and advanced manufacturing and robotics lab.
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Please consider being a part of this investment in the future by making a contribution to the new Olen Howard Workforce Innovation Center and Fielding Center for Excellence.
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On Dec. 14, 2020, the SFCC Foundation held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Olen Howard Workforce Innovation Center at 3 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 14. The ceremony was held on the site of the original campus buildings, affectionately known as “Plywood U” in Sedalia.
The ceremony featured remarks from Governor Mike Parson, Sedalia Mayor John Kehde, SFCC Board of Trustees President Randall D. Eaton, SFCC President Dr. Joanna Anderson and others. Photos of this event are available here.
On July 8, 2021 a construction topping out ceremony was held for the Olen Howard Workforce Innovation Center. The last steel beam was raised and placed. This is a time-honored tradition in commercial steel construction to have an official observance celebrating the completion of a building’s framing. A small tree is attached to the beam along with an American flag.
The video tour below was taken on Dec. 31, 2021.
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A live feed of the Olen Howard Workforce Innovation Center is available below.
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The State Fair Community College Foundation Board of Directors cordially invites you to a special benefit gala.
Live and In Person
An SFCC Foundation special fundraiser event in support of Stronger Workforce, Greater Community: A Capital Campaign for the Olen Howard Workforce Innovation Center
6 PM on March 26, 2022
Fred E. Davis Multipurpose Center
3201 W. 16th Street
Sedalia, MO
Cocktails & Appetizers / Dinner & Dessert Dash / Live Auction / Live Music & Dancing
RSVP by March 11 or call (660)530-5811
Casual attire / Parking available in front of the Davis Center
A timeline of media announcements and events leading to the launch of the Olen Howard Workforce Innovation Center in 2022.
Dec. 5, 2019 – State Fair Community College celebrated #GivingTuesday (Dec. 3) by announcing the college, in a partnership with the city of Sedalia, was awarded a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the Missouri Department of Economic Development, as part of the Workforce Training Initiative. The ceremony featured a speech from Missouri Gov. Mike Parson and concluded with the announcement of a significant donation from the family of the late Olen Howard. That donation, along with the CDBG grant, will help fund construction of the college’s new Workforce Innovation Center.
June 26, 2020 – The COVID-19 pandemic affects employment and education, as America continues to struggle through recovery.
Sept. 28, 2020 – State Fair Community College accepted bids for construction of the Olen Howard Workforce Innovation Center (OHWIC).
Dec. 8, 2020 –State Fair Community College and the SFCC Foundation held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Olen Howard Workforce Innovation Center at 3 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 14. The ceremony will be held on the site of the original campus buildings, affectionately known as “Plywood U” in Sedalia.
Feb. 24, 2021 – The State Fair Community College Foundation has announced it has received a grant from the Sunderland Foundation for $500,000.
April 13, 2021 – The State Fair Community College Foundation recently received $250,000 from Russell and Julie Childers for its capital campaign to help build the Olen Howard Workforce Innovation Center.
May 20, 2021 –The State Fair Community College Foundation recently received $100,000 from WireCo for its capital campaign to help build the Olen Howard Workforce Innovation Center.
June 28, 2021 –The State Fair Community College Foundation recently received $100,000 from Steve and Karen Ellebracht for its Stronger Workforce, Greater Community capital campaign to help build the Olen Howard Workforce Innovation Center.
Sept. 17, 2021 –The State Fair Community College Foundation recently received $15,000 from Michael and Christy Otten of Lake of the Ozarks for its Stronger Workforce, Greater Community capital campaign to help build the Olen Howard Workforce Innovation Center.
Oct. 8, 2021 – The State Fair Community College Foundation recently received $300,000 from Nucor for its Stronger Workforce, Greater Community capital campaign.
Dec. 7, 2021 –The State Fair Community College Foundation recently received $300,000 from Gardner Denver for its Stronger Workforce, Greater Community capital campaign to help build the Olen Howard Workforce Innovation Center.
Dec. 20, 2021 –The State Fair Community College Foundation recently received $25,000 from Central Trust Company and Central Trust Bank of Sedalia for its Stronger Workforce, Greater Community capital campaign to help build the Olen Howard Workforce Innovation Center.
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State Fair Community College is the economic engine for Central Missouri. Multiple programs in highly sought technical fields provide students with skilled, hands-on learning that lead to one- and two-year professional certificates or associate degrees.
