Connecting Employers & Job Seekers to a brighter tomorrow!

WIOA Youth Program

Multiple opportunities available. Now serving clients ages 14-24. Free assistance to those who qualify.

WIOA Youth Program Details

Unlocking Potential for Ages 14-24

The WIOA Youth Program is a transformative initiative aimed at empowering young individuals through tailored support and resources. We cater to both In-School and Out-of-School youth, providing them with the tools needed to succeed. In-School youth, aged 14-21, can benefit from our comprehensive support services that include tutoring, skills training, and leadership development. For Out-of-School youth, aged 16-24, we offer work experience opportunities, occupational skills training, and guidance to overcome any barriers to education and employment. Our goal is to foster a sense of responsibility and self-sufficiency, preparing youth for a successful future.

Interested Youth

Interested Employers

WIOA Youth Program has two categories: In-School and Out-of-School

Barriers and Solutions

High School Dropout

Our program offers alternative education pathways and dropout recovery services to help youth complete their education.

Basic Skills Deficient

We provide tutoring and skills training to improve academic performance and prepare for future challenges.

Pregnant or Parenting

Support services are available to assist young parents in balancing education and family responsibilities.

Homeless or Runaway

We offer guidance and resources to secure stable housing and support for continued education.

Receiving TANF or SNAP

Additional support services designed to help young people achieve their educational and career goals.

In or Aged out of Foster Care

Our program provides mentoring and support to foster youth transitioning to independence.

Justice-Involved

We assist with reintegration into society through education and employment opportunities.

Documented Disability

Customized support and resources are available to accommodate and empower youth with disabilities.

English Language Learner

Language support services are offered to improve communication skills and educational outcomes.

Low Income

Comprehensive support and resources for low-income families to help them secure stable housing, access essential services, and improve their overall quality of life.

We Want to Help YOU Succeed!

Discover how our programs can transform your career path. 

For More Information, Call or Visit Your Local Job Center

Empowering Employers with Youth Talent

At Central Workforce Development Region, we connect businesses with motivated young individuals eager to contribute to your success. Our program streamlines the hiring process by matching employers with youth candidates who are ready to learn and grow. By participating, you gain access to a pool of talented individuals, while we handle the logistics, including covering wages and providing necessary training. This partnership not only enhances your workforce but also supports the development of future leaders in our community.

Removing Your Barriers to Productivity

For More Information, Call or Visit Your Local Job Center

Guiding Youth to Career Success

Our Career Managers are dedicated to helping youth overcome challenges and find fulfilling career paths. Here’s how we do it:

1

Initial Consultation

We begin with a personalized meeting to understand each client’s unique goals and barriers to employment.

2

Customized Career Plan

Our team develops a tailored plan that addresses specific needs and outlines steps to achieve career objectives.

3

Ongoing Support

We provide continuous guidance and resources, ensuring clients stay on track and succeed in their chosen career paths.

What is WIOA?

WIOA Youth is a federally funded initiative designed to empower and prepare young individuals for today’s dynamic workforce. Catering to those aged 14-24, the program addresses a range of challenges that can impede success. Its goal is to equip our youth—the leaders of tomorrow—with the tools they need to overcome obstacles, fostering a sense of responsibility, accountability, and self-sufficiency.

Training Opportunities with WIOA Youth

Comprehensive Skill Development

Our program offers a variety of training sessions, including occupational skills training and leadership development, to equip youth with essential skills for the workforce.

Work Experience Programs

Participants gain hands-on experience through structured work placements, enhancing their employability and career readiness.

Educational Support

We provide tutoring and study skills training to help youth achieve educational milestones and prepare for further education.

Supportive Services

Qualified youth can access financial assistance and counseling services, ensuring they have the support needed to succeed.

Empower Your Future Today

Ready to take the next step in your career journey? Connect with your local job center to explore opportunities and resources tailored to your needs. Our team is here to support you every step of the way.

Explore Our Training Opportunities

Tutoring, Study Skills Training, Instruction, and Dropout Prevention

Activities that lead to completion of a high school diploma or recognized equivalent

Alternative Secondary School and Dropout Recovery Services

Assist youth who have struggled in traditional secondary education or who have dropped out of school.

Paid & Unpaid Work Experience

Is a structured learning experience in a workplace and provides opportunities for career exploration and skill development. 

Occupational Skills Training

Is an organized program of study that provides specific skills and leads to proficiency in an occupational field. 

Education Offered Concurrently with Workforce Preparation

Is an integrated education and training model combining workforce preparation, basic academic skills, and occupational skills.

Leadership Development Opportunities

Encourage responsibility, confidence, employability, self-determination, and other positive social behaviors.

Supportive Services

If qualified, various financial assistance services may be available, such as clothing and hygiene assistance, rental assistance, and more. Please note that no services are guaranteed. 

Adult Mentoring

Is a formal relationship between a youth and an adult mentor with structured activities where the mentor offers guidance, support, and encouragement.

Follow-Up Services

Are provided following program exit to help ensure youth succeed in employment or education.

Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling

Provides individualized counseling to participants, including drug/alcohol and mental health counseling.

Financial Literacy Education

Provides youth with the knowledge and skills they need to achieve long-term financial stability.

Entrepreneurial Skills Training

Provides the basics of starting and operating a small business and develops entrepreneurial skills.

Services that Provide Labor Market Information

Offer employment and labor market information about in-demand industry sectors or occupations.

Postsecondary Preparation and Transition Activities

Help youth prepare for and transition to postsecondary education and training.

Central Region News

A Move, a Job Search, and a New Chapter in Social Work for Antoinette Agosto

After a resume review at the Columbia Job Center, Antoinette Agosto used JVSG services to land a full-time social worker role with Good Shepherd Hospice in under a month.

A Janitorial Job Was All Jillian Knew. A Preschool Classroom Showed Her What She Wanted

high school senior with only janitorial work behind her, Jillian Boyles used the WIOA In-School Youth program to test a career in childcare, and turned a paid Work Experience at Tiger Tots into a real job.

A GED Wasn’t in Her Past. A Classroom Full of Kids Is Now Her Future. (Hannah’s Success Story)

Ashley built a career as a Certified Medical Assistant, then decided to go further. With support from WIOA Adult, EDA, and Healthy Blue, she earned her nursing degree and RN license, and now earns nearly $12 more per hour.

Missouri Education Agencies Partner with Google to Provide Free AI Training

Missouri is partnering with Google to expand free access to AI training, Google Career Certificates and education tools for job seekers, students and educators across the state.

A Move, a Job Search, and a New Chapter in Social Work for Antoinette Agosto

When veteran Eddie Agosto walked into the Columbia Job Center looking for direction, he found more than a resume review. Through the Jobs for Veterans State Grant program, he landed a role that puts his social work background to meaningful use.

Missouri Jobs Report: July 2026 — Nearly 30,000 Jobs Added Year-Over-Year as Unemployment Falls to 3.6%

Missouri added 8,100 jobs in July 2026, unemployment fell to 3.6 percent, and year-over-year job growth reached nearly 30,000 positions. Here’s a breakdown of the latest labor market data and what it means for workers and employers across mid-Missouri.

What Students Can Teach Us About Showing Up

Every August, students walk into buildings they have never been in before and agree to spend months learning things they do not yet understand. What if the rest of us did the same? Here is what students can teach us about showing up.

A Certified Medical Assistant, Ashley Wanted More. Nursing School Delivered It

Ashley built a career as a Certified Medical Assistant, then decided to go further. With support from WIOA Adult, EDA, and Healthy Blue, she earned her nursing degree and RN license, and now earns nearly $12 more per hour.

Keeoctea Hightower Wanted a Fresh Start. The Central Region Job Center Helped Her Find One

Veteran Keeoctea Hightower came to the Columbia Job Center for resume help and career guidance. With support from Wagner-Peyser and JVSG services, she landed full-time employment at a VA hospital.

Central Region Joins Local Partners At Lebanon Summer Outreach Event

Free community resources came together at the Lebanon YMCA this summer, with the Central Workforce Development Region on hand to connect attendees with job seeker services.

Tune into the podcast

The Workforce Link Podcast with Sundi Jo Graham

The Workforce Link Podcast offers forward thinking conversations for the workforce, linking employers and job seekers to a brighter tomorrow. 

Hosted by Sundi Jo Graham from the Central Workforce Development Board, The Workforce Link covers job searching, resume and interview tips, leadership, personal development, and features interviews with industry leaders from the private and public sectors.

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