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Empower Your Workforce

Incumbent Worker Training Program

Enhance your business by reskilling and upskilling your current employees with our comprehensive training programs.

Take Action Today!

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to improve your workforce and receive financial support for training. Join the Incumbent Worker Training Program now!

About the IWT Program

The Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) program is designed to help local businesses in Missouri retain and advance their employees. By participating, businesses can increase their competitiveness, avoid layoffs, and stimulate the local economy. Administered through local organizations, the program ensures that participants receive personalized support from community members who understand the local economic landscape. The IWT program is a valuable resource for businesses looking to invest in their workforce and foster long-term growth.

Key Features of the Incumbent Worker Training Program

Reimbursement for Training Costs

Receive financial support to cover the expenses of training your employees, making it easier to invest in their development.

Customizable Curriculum

Design a training program that fits the specific needs of your business and employees, ensuring relevant and effective skill development.

Skill Retention and Advancement

Help your employees acquire new skills and advance within your organization, reducing turnover and fostering loyalty.

Economic Stimulus

Contribute to the local economy by developing a more skilled workforce, which can lead to business growth and community prosperity.

Qualifications for Participation

To qualify for the Incumbent Worker Training Program, your business must demonstrate a need to prevent potential layoffs or the necessity to acquire skills for employee retention and advancement.

Additionally, you must develop a training curriculum that leads to a wage increase and provide a certificate of achievement upon completion. All necessary paperwork must be signed and approved before the training begins.

Ensuring these qualifications are met will help your business benefit from the program and support the growth and development of your workforce.

Understanding Incumbent Workers

What is an Incumbent Worker?

An incumbent worker is an employee who has already been hired and has completed initial orientation or training. These workers may have been with your company for many years and are integral to its operations. The Incumbent Worker Training Program provides an opportunity to further develop these employees, allowing them to gain new skills and advance within the organization. This not only enhances their career prospects but also opens up entry-level positions for new hires, fostering a cycle of growth and development within your business.

Take Action Today!

For more information, email us or click below to find the Job Center closest to you.

Central Region News

How Central Missouri Veteran Michael Turned a Career Setback Into a Fresh Start

Michael Casady served his country as a U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant. Back home in Missouri, he faced a different kind of challenge — losing a job he’d held for 20 years. Rather than give up, he went back to school, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, and walked into the Columbia Job Center ready to start over. This is his story.

How Missouri Veteran Thomas Kusick Turned Military Skills into a Full-Time Career

Thomas Kusick served as a Combat Engineer with the Missouri Army National Guard, deploying to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. When he came home, he faced a new battle — finding steady work after sustaining a traumatic brain injury. With the support of the Columbia Job Center and his VA case manager, Thomas discovered his passion for carpentry and landed a full-time job. This is his story.

How Missouri Veteran Nathan Frock Turned Military Skills into a Full-Time Career

After leaving military service, Nathan Frock wasn’t sure what came next. With help from the Columbia Job Center and Missouri’s veteran employment services, he found a full-time career that puts his military skills to work.

WIOA Central Workforce Development Board Local Plan Modification – Public Notice – March 2026

Consistent with the “sunshine” provisions of WIOA sec. 107(e), the Central Workforce  Development Board, comprised of 19 contiguous counties of Central Missouri, will have available for public review and comment a modification to its 2024-2027 WIOA local...

Central Workforce Development Region Connects with Students at Moniteau County Career Fair

Central Workforce Development Region staff connected with students and employers at the Moniteau County Career Fair at California High School, sharing youth and veteran services and supporting career exploration in Missouri.

ABEC to Host Interviews at Lebanon Job Center on March 4

ABEC will host an appointment-only interview event March 4 at the Lebanon Job Center for experienced welders, fabricators, grinders, and electrical assemblers.

Walk-In-Wednesdays Hiring Event Returns to Columbia on March 18

Walk-In-Wednesdays returns to Columbia on March 18 at the Columbia Public Library. Meet 13 employers hiring in healthcare, public safety, local government, skilled trades, and more.

Episode 80: Hiring for Attitude vs. Experience: Which Matters More?

When hiring, what matters more: attitude or experience? In this episode of the Workforce Link Podcast, we explore how employers can balance technical expertise and soft skills to build stronger teams and improve long-term retention.

Jamestown High School Students Explore Careers with Columbia Job Center

On February 20, Columbia Job Center staff visited Jamestown High School to provide virtual reality career exploration for juniors and seniors. Students used Transfr VR goggles to explore in-demand Missouri careers and learn about training pathways that support their next steps after graduation.

Boonville Correctional Center to Host Interviews on February 20 at Columbia Job Center

The Missouri Department of Corrections will host open interviews February 20, 2026 at the Missouri Job Center in Columbia, MO. Job seekers can meet directly with hiring staff and interview for Correctional Officer positions serving the Boonville facility.

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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