Find the Right Career for You

About Us

Strengthening Communities Through Workorce Development Efforts

We’re here for you at every step of your career journey, whether you’re landing your first job or switching to a new career pathway. Our personalized assistance helps tailor solutions to fit your needs. 

Our Services

Job Center Services

Our Job Centers offer free services to help you discover the right career path. We provide assessments to identify your skills and interests, and job training to prepare you for a fulfilling career. Visit us to explore various opportunities and find the perfect fit for your goals.

Training Services

Want hands-on experience as you decide what career you want to pursue? Through on-the-job training and various work experiences for all ages, Central Missouri Job Center staff are ready to help set you up for success today!

Services Available

There are a lot of opportunities out there and we want to help you find the right one! The Central Workforce Development Region offers free comprehensive employment services through our Job Centers, helping you prepare for, locate, and obtain jobs and careers that suit your strengths and goals.

Job Search Assistance

Receive expert guidance and resources to help you find the right job opportunities that match your skills and career goals.

Resume Assistance

Get professional help to craft a resume that stands out to employers and showcases your strengths and experiences.

Interview Preparation

Prepare for interviews with confidence through our mock interviews and personalized feedback sessions.

Virtual Work Experiences

Participants in our virtual work experience gain job placement post-training to apply their newly acquired skills, aiding in establishing good work habits, personal management, career awareness, and financial principles, all achievable with just an internet connection and computer.

Legal Background Issue Assistance

The program offers job-seeking strategies for individuals with legal convictions, aiding in overcoming employer reluctance by demonstrating positive change, while the Federal Bonding Program provides fidelity bonding for six months, increasing opportunities for those with correctional backgrounds.

Skills Assessments

Talify Missouri and ACT WorkKeys are assessment tools that help you find suitable employment by evaluating your skills, interests, and personality and matching you with potential employers.

Education & Training

The Central Region Job Centers can help you identify necessary education and training for your career goals and determine your eligibility for financial assistance to achieve them. 

On-the-Job Training

Connect with employers offering on-the-job training programs, providing valuable experience and a paycheck while you help fulfill their workforce needs.

Work Experience

Are you between 14 and 24 years old and looking to gain valuable work experience? If so, the Work Experience Program can connect you with employers, offering critical workplace training and experience to enhance your future job prospects.

Apprenticeships

Registered Apprenticeship is a paid training program where you learn a skilled trade under the supervision of a professional and earn a nationally recognized credential upon completion.

Veterans’ Career & Employment Services

Specialized support for veterans to transition into civilian careers, including job placement and training programs.

Find a Job Center Near You!

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.

Central Region News

Walk-In-Wednesdays Brings 57 Job Seekers and 9 Employers Together in Columbia for April Hiring Event

The Columbia Job Center hosted its April Walk-In-Wednesdays hiring event, connecting 57 job seekers with 9 local employers for on-the-spot interviews and real hiring conversations in Columbia, Missouri.

Veteran and Spouse Hiring Fair Connects 42 Job Seekers with Missouri Employers

The Columbia Job Center and Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital hosted a Veteran and Spouse Hiring Fair on April 21, 2026, connecting 42 job seekers — including 32 veterans — with regional employers in Columbia, Missouri.

Pulaski County Maintains Work Ready Community Status

Pulaski County Clerk Dave Ernst accepted the award on behalf of the county, presented by COPIC Executive Director Trish Rogers, recognizing maintained Certified Work Ready Community status for Program Year 2025.

Episode 81: Why Your Emotions Are Blocking Your Job Search Success

Your resume might not be the problem. In Episode 81 of The Workforce Link Podcast, we break down how anxiety and self-doubt quietly sabotage your job search and what you can do about it.

Missouri Workforce Update: February 2026 Jobs Data Shows Shifts Across Industries

Missouri lost 8,600 jobs in February 2026, while the unemployment rate remained steady at 3.9 percent, reflecting shifts across key industries.

Lebanon Job Center Supports Student Interviews at Lebanon High School

Lebanon Job Center staff worked with 45 Lebanon High School seniors on April 9 and 10, providing mock interviews and real-world guidance to help students prepare for employment and future career opportunities.

Walk-In-Wednesdays Hiring Event Returns April 15 in Columbia

The Columbia Job Center will host Walk-In-Wednesdays on April 15, bringing 13 employers and job seekers together for on-the-spot interviews and local hiring opportunities.

Students Explore Career and Volunteer Opportunities at Wonderland Camp

Youth participants recently joined Paula Pogue of the Central Workforce Development Region for a guided tour and information session at Wonderland Camp near Rocky Mount, Missouri — one of mid-Missouri’s most unique nonprofits serving individuals with disabilities for more than 50 years.

How a WIOA Youth Program Helped One Missourian Launch a Law Enforcement Career

Austin Harris was working at Walmart and ready for something more. With support from Central Missouri workforce staff and funding through WIOA, he completed law enforcement training at the Missouri Sheriffs’ Association Academy — and found a career he loves.

Walk-In-Wednesdays Launch Strong in Columbia with 63 Job Seekers and 13 Employers

The Columbia Job Center kicked off Walk-In-Wednesdays with 63 job seekers and 13 employers, showing strong demand for in-person hiring events.

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