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

Mar 5, 2026 | Success Stories

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

Mar 5, 2026 | Success Stories

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

Feb 6, 2026 | Success Stories

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

Jan 27, 2026 | Success Stories

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)

Jan 12, 2026 | Success Stories

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

Nov 18, 2025 | Success Stories

Learn how the Central Region Job Centers supported a Missouri veteran through job loss, training, and career transitions on his path to meaningful work.

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What We Offer

Central Region CDL Recruitment Events Drive Opportunities in the Trucking Industry

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.

Learn More

Central Workforce Development Region and Job Point Collaborate to Launch Comprehensive Warehouse Certification Training Program

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.

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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.

LISTEN TO EPISODES

Central Region News

Missouri Employment Drops 10,600 Jobs in September, But Annual Growth Continues

by Sundi Jo Graham | October 21, 2026 | Announcements | 0 Comments

The Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development has released Strategic Plan 2027: Building Missouri’s Future, a roadmap to prepare Missourians for high demand careers and help employers facing talent shortages. The plan sets statewide goals of 60 percent postsecondary attainment and 70 percent labor force participation.

Missouri Employment Drops 10,600 Jobs in September, but Annual Growth Continues

by Sundi Jo Graham | October 19, 2026 | Job Reports | 0 Comments

Missouri employment declined by 10,600 jobs in September 2026, while the unemployment rate rose slightly to 3.6%. Despite the monthly decrease, the state added 28,400 jobs over the past year, with leisure and hospitality leading annual growth.

MDHEWD Recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Highlighting Accessibility and Workforce Opportunities

by Sundi Jo Graham | October 16, 2026 | Announcements, In the News | 0 Comments

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Learn how Missouri is recognizing the contributions of individuals with disabilities and expanding access to apprenticeships, STEM careers, and workforce training opportunities.

Jefferson City Job Center Opens New Permanent Location October 5

by Sundi Jo Graham | September 22, 2026 | Employer Tips, Helpful Tips | 0 Comments

Big news for Jefferson City. After years without a permanent home, the Jefferson City Job Center is opening its doors at 327 E. Capitol Avenue on Monday, October 5 — and it is a moment worth celebrating.

Why Workforce Development Is Never Finished

by Sundi Jo Graham | September 22, 2026 | Employer Tips, Helpful Tips | 0 Comments

Every September, the workforce development field pauses to celebrate itself — and rightfully so. But this year, rather than looking back, we want to look forward. Because the truth is, this work is never finished.

Missouri Adds 34,100 Jobs Over the Year as Unemployment Falls to 3.5%

by Sundi Jo Graham | September 22, 2026 | Job Reports | 0 Comments

Missouri added 2,100 jobs in August 2026 and 34,100 jobs over the year, while the unemployment rate fell to 3.5 percent. See which industries gained jobs and what the latest data says about Missouri’s workforce.

A Move, a Job Search, and a New Chapter in Social Work for Antoinette Agosto

by Sundi Jo Graham | September 9, 2026 | Success Stories | 0 Comments

After a resume review at the Columbia Job Center, Antoinette Agosto used JVSG services to land a full-time social worker role with Good Shepherd Hospice in under a month.

A Janitorial Job Was All Jillian Knew. A Preschool Classroom Showed Her What She Wanted

by Sundi Jo Graham | September 9, 2026 | Success Stories | 0 Comments

high school senior with only janitorial work behind her, Jillian Boyles used the WIOA In-School Youth program to test a career in childcare, and turned a paid Work Experience at Tiger Tots into a real job.

A GED Wasn’t in Her Past. A Classroom Full of Kids Is Now Her Future. (Hannah’s Success Story)

by Sundi Jo Graham | September 9, 2026 | Success Stories | 0 Comments

Ashley built a career as a Certified Medical Assistant, then decided to go further. With support from WIOA Adult, EDA, and Healthy Blue, she earned her nursing degree and RN license, and now earns nearly $12 more per hour.

Missouri Education Agencies Partner with Google to Provide Free AI Training

by Sundi Jo Graham | September 9, 2026 | Announcements | 0 Comments

Missouri is partnering with Google to expand free access to AI training, Google Career Certificates and education tools for job seekers, students and educators across the state.

Central Region Joins Local Partners At Lebanon Summer Outreach Event

Free community resources came together at the Lebanon YMCA this summer, with the Central Workforce Development Region on hand to connect attendees with job seeker services.

A Plant Closure Ended One Job for Keith Smith: A CDL Started Another

After Royal Canin’s Rolla plant closed and cost more than 100 jobs, Keith Smith turned to the WIOA Dislocated Worker program, earned his CDL, and launched a new career as a professional truck driver with TMC Transportation.

Central Workforce Development Region Signs Lease for New Jefferson City Job Center

Jefferson City is set to have a Missouri Job Center again after several years without one, thanks to a new partnership between the Central Workforce Development Board and First Christian Church Disciples of Christ. The center will offer employment services, resume help, training, and apprenticeship support to job seekers across the community.