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
Youth Work Experience Program Changes Auggie’s Life
At 16, Auggie Perry gained skills at Bennett Spring State Park through WIOA and COTY, turning a youth work placement into lasting success.
Flourish Program Helps Boone County Youth Thrive Through Paid Summer Work Experiences
Columbia Job Center partners with Flourish to support Boone County youth through paid summer work experience opportunities.
How the COTY Program Helped Justine Go from Homeless to Hired
Justine, a high school senior in Lebanon, Missouri, overcame housing instability and found a job through the COTY program. Read her inspiring story.
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.
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 77: The Brain Science Behind Getting Things Done at Work
Learn the brain science behind accountability at work. This Workforce Link Podcast episode explains why some employees excel and how all Missouri job seekers and employers can build stronger habits.
Central Region News
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.
Episode 83: How to Make a Great Impression in Your First 90 Days on the Job
You got the job — now what? The first 90 days on a new job are more important than most people realize. Tune in to Episode 83 of The Workforce Link Podcast to find out how to make a great impression, build the right relationships, and set yourself up for long-term success from day one.