Empowering Missouri Veterans

Your Path to a Successful Civilian Career Starts Here

We prioritize Missouri veterans by offering comprehensive career services to help you transition smoothly into the civilian workforce.

Making Veterans a Priority

Dedicated Support for Missouri Veterans

At the Central Workforce Development Region, we understand the unique challenges faced by veterans transitioning to civilian life. Our dedicated team provides personalized career counseling, job placement assistance, and training resources to ensure you find meaningful employment. We offer no-cost services including career assessments, résumé and cover letter assistance, interview preparation, job search workshops, and access to labor market information. Our goal is to honor your service by helping you achieve your career aspirations.

Whether you are a veteran or a qualifying spouse, our services are designed to support your career journey. From on-the-job training programs like Show Me Heroes OJT to internships through the Career Skills Program, we offer various pathways to success. Our partnership with Fort Leonard Wood allows us to place transitioning service members into internships with civilian organizations, providing valuable experience and easing the transition to civilian employment.

See Qualification Requirements Below

No-Cost Services for Veterans

Career Assessment and Counseling

Receive personalized career assessments and expert counseling to help you transition smoothly into the civilian workforce.

Résumé and Cover Letter Assistance

Get professional help with crafting résumés and cover letters that stand out to potential employers.

Job Placement Assistance

Benefit from our job placement services to find the right job that matches your skills and career goals.

Qualification Requirements

To access our services, you must meet one of the following criteria:

A Veteran Who: Has served at least one day in active military, naval, or air service and was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.

Or The Spouse Of: Any Veteran who died of a service-connected disability, any member of the armed forces serving on active duty who has been listed for at least 90 days as missing in action, captured in the line of duty, or forcibly detained by a foreign government, or a Veteran who has a total disability resulting from a service-connected disability, or died while such a disability was in existence.

Veterans’ Career & Employment Services

Priority of Service

Veterans and their families receive priority access to employment, training, and placement services, ensuring they get the support they need first.

Mo Heros

Our On-the-Job Training program allows veterans to earn while they learn, gaining valuable experience in their chosen career field.

Take the Next Step in Your Career

Are you ready to leverage your military experience into a fulfilling civilian career? The Central Workforce Development Region is here to support you every step of the way. Find a job center near you and start accessing our comprehensive services today.

Central Region News

Hire a Veteran Day Brings Veterans and Employers Together at the Missouri State Capitol

Veterans, employers, and workforce partners gathered at the Missouri State Capitol on Friday, July 24, for Hire a Veteran Day. Missouri Job Center staff from Columbia and Sedalia connected attendees with employment opportunities, career resources, and services designed to support veterans in their next career.

Fast Track Incentive Grant Application Now Open for the 2026-2027 Academic Year

Missouri adults returning to school have a new opportunity to make training affordable. The Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant application is now open for the 2026-2027 academic year, covering tuition, fees, and apprenticeship costs for eligible students pursuing careers in high-demand industries.

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.

How a Wonderland Camp Partnership Is Turning Internships Into Jobs

A day of service at Wonderland Camp highlighted a partnership that keeps growing stronger, with former summer interns now hired on as camp employees

From the Marine Corps to the ICU: DeAundre’s Story

After separating from the Marine Corps, DeAundre set his sights on nursing. With support from WIOA Dislocated Worker, EDA, and Healthy Blue, he’s now an RN in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at MU Healthcare.

Missouri Sets Bold Goal: 100,000 New Apprentices by 2027

Missouri has set an ambitious goal: 100,000 new apprentices by September 30, 2027. Here’s what that means for job seekers and employers across mid-Missouri.

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.

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.

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