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
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.
How Mary Found Her Next Career After Military Service
After military service, Mary partnered with the Columbia Job Center to explore career options, strengthen her job search, and secure full time employment in public safety. Her story shows how Veteran employment services can support a successful transition to civilian work.
Reagan Trades an Apron for a Career in Nursing
Reagan Blain came to the Job Center looking for stability and a future in healthcare. With the right support, she turned part-time work into a career as a Registered Nurse and is now building a more secure future for herself.
Namisha White Finds Her Path in Healthcare (Success Story)
Namisha White is building a career in nursing with training from the Waynesville Career Center and support from the Central Workforce Development Region. Her story shows how opportunity and workforce partnerships open doors to in-demand healthcare careers.
How Workforce Services Helped a Missouri Veteran Rebuild His Career
Learn how the Central Region Job Centers supported a Missouri veteran through job loss, training, and career transitions on his path to meaningful work.
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 79: You Don’t Have to Have It All Figured Out
You don’t have to have your career figured out to move forward. In this episode of the Workforce Link Podcast, Sundi Jo explores why clarity matters more than certainty and how slowing down can help you take the next step with confidence.
Central Region News
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.