Inspiring Success Stories
Transforming Lives in Central Missouri
Lives are being changed every day through workforce development efforts. Here are their stories.
Our Success Stories
Austin and Drew Rogers Found New Roads Through CDL Training in Missouri
Austin and Drew Rogers boosted their income with CDL training in Missouri. Their story shows the power of workforce development and community impact.
Drew Rogers Shifts Gears and Finds Career Success with CDL Training in Missouri
Drew Rogers increased his income with CDL training in Missouri through the EDA Good Jobs Challenge. Read how he found a stable, higher-paying career.
Austin Rogers Found a New Road After High School Graduation (Success Story)
Austin Rogers boosted his income after CDL training in Missouri, thanks to the EDA Good Jobs Challenge. Here’s how he found career success.
High School Student Balances Leadership, Learning, and Work (Katie’s Success Story)
High school student Katie Carpenter builds confidence and career skills through a youth work experience program in St. James, Missouri.
From Army MP to Federal Detective: Taylor Cortez’s Civilian Career Takeoff
Army veteran Taylor Cortez transitions from military police to federal detective with JVSG support and a clear career goal in forensics.
Honoring Wayne Houtman for a Dedicated Career of Service in the Central Region
After 17 years of service, Wayne Houtman retires from DHEWD, leaving a lasting impact on Veterans and workforce development in Missouri.
What We Offer
Job Seeker Services
Explore numerous opportunities with the Central Workforce Development Region! Our Job Centers offer free services to help you prepare for, find, and secure jobs that match your strengths and goals.
Employer Services
Available at NO cost to you, we offer a variety of employer services, including job matching, consulting, work opportunity tax credits, on-the-job training, incumbent worker training, transition assistance, and more. See full details below.
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.
Episode 78: A Fresh Start for Your Career and Workforce Planning
The new year often brings pressure to have clear answers about work and career goals. This episode explores how to start fresh with intention, focus on clarity over urgency, and take meaningful next steps in career and workforce planning.
Central Region News
How to Stay Focused When Work Gets Busy This Spring
As work picks up this spring, staying focused is key. Learn how to set clear priorities and keep your time centered on what matters most.
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.