Develop Great Team Members

Available at NO cost to you, we offer a variety of employer services, including job matching, consulting, work opportunity tax credits, on-the-job training, incumbent worker training, transition assistance, and more.

ON-THE-JOB TRAINING

Get reimbursed for up to 50% of wages while workers get needed training. We complete the paperwork at no cost to you. This is an excellent opportunity for eligible job seekers to get hands-on experience from an employer while earning a paycheck. It’s a win-win for everyone. Employers get the workforce they need and you get the experience you need. 

Job Center staff will connect you with the right team member, take care of the required paperwork, and put together the perfect training plan that makes both you and the employee happy.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Work Experience allows employers to invest in their workforce by providing opportunities to develop work maturity and occupational skills. This program supports employers by covering wages and workers’ compensation through federal funding, enabling them to assess new talent effectively. The Work Experience Program represents a dual investment: in your immediate staffing needs and in cultivating a skilled workforce for the future.

JOBS LEAGUE PROGRAM

The Jobs League Program offers on-the-job training for young adults aged 14 to 24, helping them build career skills through paid work experience of up to 320 hours. 

REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP

Reduce employee training costs, increase employee knowledge and loyalty, and keep pace with advancing technology.

Learn more here…

Hiring Events

Join us to sponsor a hiring event at the Job Center specifically for your company or partner with other organizations. Contact the Central Region Workforce Development Board for more information.

These events are a prime opportunity for businesses to meet and connect with skilled candidates ready to dive into new roles. It’s your chance to showcase your company and discover fresh talent in a lively, engaging environment. Whether you’re expanding your team or filling a crucial position, our hiring events are the perfect spot to find motivated professionals eager to make an impact.

Employee Development

At jobs.mo.gov, you can easily find suitable training and educational programs for employee career development, search for federally funded and ETPL approved programs by various criteria including location, program type, and delivery method, and explore options for green jobs and apprenticeships. Simply register or log in to your account and select Education Services for more details.

Other Resources

Labor Market Information

Complete labor market information is available for employers utilizing their Employer account on jobs.mo.gov. Market trends, projections, and other information is available by completing searches on the criteria that matters to you.

Learn more here…

Rapid Response

Managing layoffs is challenging, but our support team can help. We assist with legal obligations, provide employment-related information, connect employees with job openings, and offer guidance to maintain productivity during transitions.

Learn more here…

Work Opportunity Tax Credits

Earn up to $9,600 in tax credits per eligible worker. There is no limit to the number of qualifying new hires or the total amount of credits distributed.

Learn more here…

Federal Bonding

Uncertain about hiring a team member with limited work history or other risks? Federal Bonding can provide coverage for employees to guarantee personal integrity in the workplace.

Learn more here…

Shared Work

Explore our Shared Work program, designed to assist employers in retaining their workforce during downturns by reducing hours rather than resorting to layoffs. Through this initiative, employees can receive partial unemployment benefits to compensate for reduced wages, ensuring that your skilled staff remains both employed and financially supported.

Missouri One Start

The Missouri One Start program can significantly boost your workforce development. It offers customized training and recruitment services tailored to your business needs, helping you enhance employee skills and remain competitive. You’ll benefit from financial support for training expenses and effective recruitment tools. Learn more here… 

AEL

The Missouri Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) program provides free resources to help employees improve essential skills like literacy and math. It’s a great way for your company to support staff development, increasing both productivity and job satisfaction.

Vocational Rehab

Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) provides a valuable resource for employers looking to diversify and strengthen their workforce. VR prepares individuals with disabilities for the job market through tailored training, counseling, and placement services. Partnering with VR allows your company to meet staffing needs effectively while supporting community integration.

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Get Involved with Workforce Development

Discover how the Central Workforce Development Region can assist you in achieving your career goals. Our services span 19 counties in mid-Missouri, offering support for job seekers and employers. Connect with us today to explore the opportunities available to 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.

Contact Us

1107 Kingshighway, Rolla, MO 65401

(573) 426-6030

sundijo@cwdregion.com

In accordance with 29 CFR 38.9 (g)(3), Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals will receive language assistance in all communications of vital information.

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EO Officer - Korin Ell

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