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

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Missouri added 3,400 jobs in May 2026 and the unemployment rate held at 3.8 percent, half a point below the national average. Here’s a breakdown of the latest labor market data and what it means for workers and employers across mid-Missouri.

From Two Part-Time Jobs to a Full-Time Nursing Career: Meghan’s Story

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Missouri Leaders Gather at Mizzou to Advance Workforce Pell and AI Initiatives

State higher education and workforce leaders gathered at the University of Missouri in June to discuss Workforce Pell implementation, AI talent development, and the future of education and training in Missouri.

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Capital City Hiring Event Connects 94 Job Seekers with Employers in Jefferson City

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Meghan Zahnter was working two part-time jobs when she decided to pursue nursing. Two years later, with support from WIOA Adult, EDA, and Healthy Blue, she’s a full-time RN at Lake Regional Health Systems.

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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