Empowering Your Career Journey

Job Center Services

Unlock your potential with our comprehensive job center services, designed to guide you towards a fulfilling career.

Our Mission to Empower Job Seekers

The Central Workforce Development Region is dedicated to strengthening communities through workforce development efforts. Our mission is to assist job seekers in finding the right career path by providing free services that include skills assessments, job training, and career counseling. With locations across 19 counties in mid-Missouri, we are committed to enhancing the regional economy by connecting individuals with meaningful employment opportunities.

Comprehensive Job Seeker Services

Job Search Assistance

Our experts provide personalized guidance and resources to help you identify and pursue job opportunities that align with your skills and career aspirations.

Computers/Resource Center

Our Computers/Resource Center provides job seekers with free access to computers, internet, and essential tools for job searching, resume building, and career development.

UI Assistance

UI Assistance helps individuals navigate the unemployment insurance (UI) process by providing guidance on eligibility, applications, and claim management.

Career Exploration

Discover career paths that align with your skills, interests, and goals.

Resume Crafting Support

Receive professional assistance to create a standout resume that effectively highlights your strengths and experiences to potential employers.

Interview Preparation

Gain confidence for your interviews with our mock sessions and tailored feedback, ensuring you make a lasting impression on employers.

Workshops

Our workshops provide hands-on learning opportunities to help individuals build essential career and job-readiness skills. Covering topics like resume writing, interview techniques, financial literacy, and professional development, these sessions equip participants with the tools needed for success in today’s workforce.

Skills Assessments

Talify Missouri

Talify Missouri is an innovative assessment tool that evaluates your skills and interests, helping you align with potential career opportunities that suit your profile.

ACT WorkKeys

ACT WorkKeys provides a comprehensive evaluation of your workplace skills, ensuring you are matched with employers seeking your unique talents.

Career Matching

Our assessments facilitate a personalized career matching process, guiding you towards roles that fit your skills and aspirations.

Veterans' Career & Employment Services

Job Placement Support

Our dedicated team assists veterans in finding suitable civilian employment, offering job placement services tailored to their skills and experiences.

Training Programs

We provide specialized training programs to help veterans transition smoothly into civilian careers, enhancing their employability and career prospects.

Career Counseling

Receive personalized career counseling to navigate the transition from military to civilian life, ensuring a successful career path.

Take the Next Step in Your Career Journey

Ready to advance your career? Visit one of our Job Centers today to explore a wide range of services designed to help you succeed. Whether you’re looking to refine your resume, prepare for interviews, or find job opportunities that align with your skills, our dedicated team is here to support you every step of the way. Discover how our resources can empower your job search and lead you to a fulfilling career.

Central Region News

Hire a Veteran Day Brings Veterans and Employers Together at the Missouri State Capitol

Veterans, employers, and workforce partners gathered at the Missouri State Capitol on Friday, July 24, for Hire a Veteran Day. Missouri Job Center staff from Columbia and Sedalia connected attendees with employment opportunities, career resources, and services designed to support veterans in their next career.

Fast Track Incentive Grant Application Now Open for the 2026-2027 Academic Year

Missouri adults returning to school have a new opportunity to make training affordable. The Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant application is now open for the 2026-2027 academic year, covering tuition, fees, and apprenticeship costs for eligible students pursuing careers in high-demand industries.

The Hardest Words in the Room

Every day, people walk through the doors of Central Region Job Centers and do one of the hardest things a person can do — they ask for help. So why is it so hard for the rest of us to do the same?

A Single Mom Bets on Herself and Builds a Healthcare Career (Stephanie’s Story)

ingle mom Stephanie Stapleton turned a low-wage gas station job into a healthcare career, earning her Medical Assistant certifications with WIOA Adult and Healthy Blue support.

Missouri Jobs Report: June 2026 — Employment Crosses 3 Million and Unemployment Drops to 3.7%

Missouri’s total nonfarm payroll employment crossed 3 million jobs in June 2026, and the unemployment rate fell to 3.7 percent — three-tenths of a point lower than a year ago. Here’s a breakdown of the latest data and what it means for mid-Missouri.

How a Wonderland Camp Partnership Is Turning Internships Into Jobs

A day of service at Wonderland Camp highlighted a partnership that keeps growing stronger, with former summer interns now hired on as camp employees

From the Marine Corps to the ICU: DeAundre’s Story

After separating from the Marine Corps, DeAundre set his sights on nursing. With support from WIOA Dislocated Worker, EDA, and Healthy Blue, he’s now an RN in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at MU Healthcare.

Missouri Sets Bold Goal: 100,000 New Apprentices by 2027

Missouri has set an ambitious goal: 100,000 new apprentices by September 30, 2027. Here’s what that means for job seekers and employers across mid-Missouri.

Missouri Jobs Report: May 2026 — Employment Grows and Unemployment Holds at 3.8%

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

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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