Central Workforce Development Region

09/06/2026

Keith Smith didn't let a plant closure decide his future. When Royal Canin shut its Rolla facility, he enrolled in the WIOA Dislocated Worker program, earned his CDL, and graduated at the top of his class with TMC Transportation.

See how he did it: https://cwdregion.com/a-plant-closure-ended-one-job-for-keith-smith-a-cdl-started-another/

09/04/2026

13 employers. And a lot more than 13 opportunities.

On September 16, Walk-In-Wednesdays is bringing employers from across Mid-Missouri together in one place—and they’re coming to meet job seekers.

Here’s who is scheduled to attend:
Missouri Office of Administration
Woodhaven
Quaker Oats / PepsiCo
Home Care of Mid-Missouri
Socket Fiber
nVent Switchgear Systems
Boone County Government
MU Health Care
DS Bus Lines
Missouri Department of Corrections – Moberly
Shelden Clinical Simulation Center – University of Missouri School of Medicine
Sunshine Cleaning Unlimited, LLC
Impact Support Services

Come explore what’s available, ask questions, make connections, and be ready for on-the-spot interviews.

Wednesday, September 16 | 1:00–4:00 p.m.
Daniel Boone Regional Library
100 W. Broadway, Columbia

Pre-register at cwdregion.com/wiw.

Employers are subject to change.

09/04/2026

In observance of Labor Day, our Job Centers and Administrative Office will be closed on Monday. We look forward to working with you again on Tuesday during normal business hours.

Have a great weekend!

09/03/2026

The Missouri Office of Administration is hiring an Oracle Solutions Architect to support the Missouri Vital Enterprise Resource System (MOVERS) project.

IT professionals: here’s one worth a look.

The Missouri Office of Administration is hiring an Oracle Solutions Architect to support the Missouri Vital Enterprise Resource System (MOVERS) project.

This role will work with a team of IT professionals to help design and implement cloud solutions for a major statewide technology project.

Position: Oracle Solutions Architect

Interested in putting your experience to work for Missouri? View the position details and apply through MO Careers: https://buff.ly/wvwRu0G

09/03/2026

Most new employees are so focused on not making mistakes that they forget they could actually be building something. Trust. Relationships. A reputation worth having.

09/03/2026

The kids aren’t the only ones who can learn something new this fall.

Maybe your “school supplies” look a little different these days. A résumé instead of a notebook. Work boots instead of a backpack. A new certification instead of a new class schedule.

Whether you’re ready for a career change, want to build new skills, or just need some help figuring out what comes next, your local Job Center can help you get moving.

No back-to-school shopping required.

Explore resources for job seekers at cwdregion.com/jobseekers.

09/02/2026

This room will be filled with opportunity again September 16.

Walk-In-Wednesdays is back at the Daniel Boone Regional Library, bringing 13 employers from across Mid-Missouri together with job seekers for an afternoon of face-to-face conversations and on-the-spot interviews.

Employers scheduled to attend include:
Missouri Office of Administration
Woodhaven
Quaker Oats / PepsiCo
Home Care of Mid-Missouri
Socket Fiber
nVent Switchgear Systems
Boone County Government
MU Health Care
DS Bus Lines
Missouri Department of Corrections – Moberly
Shelden Clinical Simulation Center – University of Missouri School of Medicine
Sunshine Cleaning Unlimited, LLC
Impact Support Services

Wednesday, September 16
1:00–4:00 p.m.
Daniel Boone Regional Library
100 W. Broadway, Columbia

Ready to make a connection? Pre-register today at cwdregion.com/wiw.

*Employers are subject to change.

09/02/2026

When you're hiring, what matters more — experience or attitude?

It can feel like a real crossroads.

Do you choose the candidate with years of experience?
Or the one who shows up with energy, curiosity, and the right mindset?
Which one actually strengthens your team long term?

Soft skills matter more than ever. Cultural alignment shapes the future of your organization. And experience may not always be the deciding factor we assume it is.

If you’ve ever hired someone who looked perfect on paper but turned out to be the wrong fit once they joined the team, you are not alone.

Hear the full conversation at cwdregion.com/ep80 or wherever you get your podcasts.

09/01/2026

Quest Diagnostics is hiring in Columbia — and there are 9 full-time openings available.

Current opportunities are for Phlebotomist/Specimen Collection positions, with pay ranging from $21.50–$24 per hour.

Multiple schedules are available, including traditional daytime hours, flexible Monday–Friday schedules and an evening opportunity. Some positions may also include rotational Saturday coverage.

Phlebotomy experience is required, with some hospital and territory positions requiring approximately three years of experience.

Ready to learn more or apply?

Apply at QuestDiagnostics.com.

09/01/2026

In December 2023, Meghan Zahnter was working two part-time jobs, one as a CNA and one as a waitress, with her sights set on nursing school. Two years later, she's a licensed Registered Nurse working full-time at Lake Regional Health Systems.

She worked part-time and went to school full-time, with support from the WIOA Adult program, the EDA Good Jobs Challenge Grant, and Healthy Blue along the way.

"I could not have made it through nursing school without their help," Meghan says.

Read her full story: https://f.mtr.cool/2lcg0gfm4w or click the link in our bio.