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

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.

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