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Central Region News & Updates
Discover the latest insights and developments in workforce initiatives across the Central Workforce Development Region.
Central Region Connects with Students at Douglass High School Career Fair
Career Consultants Brandi Chick and Amy Messner from the Missouri Job Center–Columbia represented the Central Region at the Douglass High School Career Fair, sharing youth services with students, employers, and job seekers.
The Power of Gratitude: A Game-Changer for Work and Life
Discover how gratitude reduces stress, strengthens relationships, and builds better workplaces across Central Missouri.
Central Region Students Earn Professional Certificate Through Youth Training Program to Boost Career Aspirations
Eight Extended Hair Academy students in Columbia earned professional certifications through Missouri’s Career Opportunity Training for Youth (COTY) program, helping young adults gain work-ready skills and career experience.
New Missouri Scholarship Honors and Supports Public Safety Heroes
Learn about Missouri’s Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act Scholarship, offering full tuition coverage for public safety personnel and their children. Eligibility, deadlines, and how to apply.
Episode 76:Career Shifts: When to Move On and How to Do It Well
Discover the three cognitive habits that make people more accountable and productive at work. Learn how neuroscience supports better team performance.
How Central Missouri Changed Lives Through the EDA Good Jobs Challenge Grant
The Central Region’s EDA Good Jobs Challenge trained 700+ Missourians for in-demand careers in healthcare, CDL, and warehousing.
MDHEWD Recognizes 80th Anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Highlights Accessibility and Workforce Opportunities
MDHEWD celebrates 80 years of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, emphasizing accessibility, inclusion, and workforce opportunities in Missouri.
Central Workforce Development Board Gathers to Strengthen Regional Collaboration for Annual Meeting
The Central Workforce Development Board’s October 2025 meeting featured key updates, partner presentations, and progress on the EDA Good Jobs Challenge.
Southern Boone County R-1 College & Career Fair Welcomes 700 Students
Over 700 students explored college and career opportunities at the Second Annual Southern Boone County R-1 College & Career Fair on October 20, 2025.
Record Turnouts Highlight Central Missouri’s Commitment to Workforce Growth
Central Missouri’s Fall 2025 hiring events drew record attendance, connecting hundreds of job seekers with top employers across the region
Home Depot Job Fair Connects Mexico Jobseekers with Local Employers
The Mexico Chamber of Commerce hosted a Home Depot Job Fair at the VFW Hall in Mexico, MO, bringing together 14 employers and 26 jobseekers as part of a Rapid Response effort with support from Central Region workforce staff.
The JA Trades Simulation Trailer Brings Hands-On Career Exploration to Fulton This Fall
Students across Mid-Missouri will experience hands-on career exploration through the JA Trades Simulation Trailer in Fulton this fall. The traveling experience features seven interactive stations focused on the skilled trades, STEM, and future workforce skills.
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Tune into The Podcast
Episode 63: How to Sell Yourself with Confidence in a Job Interview
Master the art of storytelling for job interviews: Learn to own your journey, leverage past experiences, and present your best self. Dive in now!
Episode 62: How The Power of Play Can Boost Your Productivity with Mike Montague
In this episode of The Workforce Link Podcast, we will learn from Mike how to be more creative, why play is important in productivity, why grinding doesn’t work, and how we can be more playful.
Episode 61: How to Unlock Your Potential and Embrace Change
Rediscover your past, embrace change, and shape your future with practical insights. Join us in exploring personal transformation in this episode.