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Find the Right Career for You

About Us

Strengthening Communities Through Workorce Development Efforts

We’re here for you at every step of your career journey, whether you’re landing your first job or switching to a new career pathway. Our personalized assistance helps tailor solutions to fit your needs. 

Our Services

Job Center Services

Our Job Centers offer free services to help you discover the right career path. We provide assessments to identify your skills and interests, and job training to prepare you for a fulfilling career. Visit us to explore various opportunities and find the perfect fit for your goals.

Training Services

Want hands-on experience as you decide what career you want to pursue? Through on-the-job training and various work experiences for all ages, Central Missouri Job Center staff are ready to help set you up for success today!

Services Available

There are a lot of opportunities out there and we want to help you find the right one! The Central Workforce Development Region offers free comprehensive employment services through our Job Centers, helping you prepare for, locate, and obtain jobs and careers that suit your strengths and goals.

Job Search Assistance

Receive expert guidance and resources to help you find the right job opportunities that match your skills and career goals.

Resume Assistance

Get professional help to craft a resume that stands out to employers and showcases your strengths and experiences.

Interview Preparation

Prepare for interviews with confidence through our mock interviews and personalized feedback sessions.

Virtual Work Experiences

Participants in our virtual work experience gain job placement post-training to apply their newly acquired skills, aiding in establishing good work habits, personal management, career awareness, and financial principles, all achievable with just an internet connection and computer.

Legal Background Issue Assistance

The program offers job-seeking strategies for individuals with legal convictions, aiding in overcoming employer reluctance by demonstrating positive change, while the Federal Bonding Program provides fidelity bonding for six months, increasing opportunities for those with correctional backgrounds.

Skills Assessments

Talify Missouri and ACT WorkKeys are assessment tools that help you find suitable employment by evaluating your skills, interests, and personality and matching you with potential employers.

Education & Training

The Central Region Job Centers can help you identify necessary education and training for your career goals and determine your eligibility for financial assistance to achieve them. 

On-the-Job Training

Connect with employers offering on-the-job training programs, providing valuable experience and a paycheck while you help fulfill their workforce needs.

Work Experience

Are you between 14 and 24 years old and looking to gain valuable work experience? If so, the Work Experience Program can connect you with employers, offering critical workplace training and experience to enhance your future job prospects.

Apprenticeships

Registered Apprenticeship is a paid training program where you learn a skilled trade under the supervision of a professional and earn a nationally recognized credential upon completion.

Veterans’ Career & Employment Services

Specialized support for veterans to transition into civilian careers, including job placement and training programs.

Find a Job Center Near 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

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.

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