Transforming Lives in Central Missouri

The Columbia Job Center hosted its April Walk-In-Wednesdays hiring event, connecting 57 job seekers with 9 local employers for on-the-spot interviews and real hiring conversations in Columbia, Missouri.

The Columbia Job Center and Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital hosted a Veteran and Spouse Hiring Fair on April 21, 2026, connecting 42 job seekers — including 32 veterans — with regional employers in Columbia, Missouri.

Pulaski County Clerk Dave Ernst accepted the award on behalf of the county, presented by COPIC Executive Director Trish Rogers, recognizing maintained Certified Work Ready Community status for Program Year 2025.

Your resume might not be the problem. In Episode 81 of The Workforce Link Podcast, we break down how anxiety and self-doubt quietly sabotage your job search and what you can do about it.

Missouri lost 8,600 jobs in February 2026, while the unemployment rate remained steady at 3.9 percent, reflecting shifts across key industries.

Lebanon Job Center staff worked with 45 Lebanon High School seniors on April 9 and 10, providing mock interviews and real-world guidance to help students prepare for employment and future career opportunities.

The Columbia Job Center will host Walk-In-Wednesdays on April 15, bringing 13 employers and job seekers together for on-the-spot interviews and local hiring opportunities.

Youth participants recently joined Paula Pogue of the Central Workforce Development Region for a guided tour and information session at Wonderland Camp near Rocky Mount, Missouri — one of mid-Missouri’s most unique nonprofits serving individuals with disabilities for more than 50 years.

Austin Harris was working at Walmart and ready for something more. With support from Central Missouri workforce staff and funding through WIOA, he completed law enforcement training at the Missouri Sheriffs’ Association Academy — and found a career he loves.

The Columbia Job Center kicked off Walk-In-Wednesdays with 63 job seekers and 13 employers, showing strong demand for in-person hiring events.