A Cole County success story made possible through WIOA Adult, Healthy Blue, and EDA When Reagan Blain walked into the Central Region Job Center in January 2024, she was doing what a lot of young people do to get by — working two jobs. As a CNA and a waitress, she was...
Missouri’s latest labor market data offers a mixed but largely stable picture heading into spring 2026. While the state saw a modest decline in overall employment last month, Missouri continues to outperform the nation on key workforce indicators — and that...
In workforce development, conversations are the work. Every appointment, hiring event interaction, employer visit, and team meeting depends on them. And at the center of every great conversation is a skill that looks simple but takes real intention to develop: asking...
On April 3, 2026, the Central Workforce Development Region joined the Business in Motion Expo 2026, hosted by the Columbia Chamber of Commerce at the Wyndham Executive Center in Columbia, Missouri. The expo brought together businesses, employers, job seekers, and...
The Columbia Job Center wrapped up a strong April hiring event as part of its ongoing Walk-In-Wednesdays series, bringing together 57 job seekers and 9 employers for an afternoon of face-to-face conversations and on-the-spot interview opportunities. Held at the...
