Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development

Members of the Missouri Office of Workforce Development (OWD) within the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development will be connecting with the business community throughout Missouri to discuss ways to improve the state’s public workforce system and engage stakeholders in the department’s strategic plan for higher education and workforce development.

Local workforce development professionals and employers have been invited to attend community events in their region. Each event will include a look at regional workforce data and small-group style discussions to gather ideas and feedback.

The Job Center Connect Town Hall events will consist of nine stops throughout the state on the following dates and times:

August 18 – Columbia (9 to 10:30 a.m.)

Columbia Courtyard by Marriott, 3301 Lemone Industrial Blvd.

August 19 – St. Charles (8:30 to 10 a.m.)

Embassy Suites, 2 Convention Center Plaza

August 20 – Kansas City (9 to 10:30 a.m.)

Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Center, 3700 Blue Parkway

August 26 – Hannibal (9 to 10:30 a.m.)

Rialto Banquet Hall, 601 Broadway

August 27 –St. Louis (9 to 10:30 a.m.)

Harris Stowe State University, 3026 Laclede Ave.

October 13 – St. Joseph (8:30 to 10 a.m.)

Stoney Creek Hotel, 1201 N Woodbine Rd.

October 14 – West Plains (8:30 to 10 a.m.)

West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis Street

October 15 – Springfield (8:30 – 10 a.m.)

DoubleTree by Hilton, 2431 N Glenstone Ave.

October 20 – Cape Girardeau (8:30 to 10 a.m.)

Drury Inn, 3351 Percy Dr.

“Every community has its own unique set of circumstances,” said Dr. Mardy Leathers, director of workforce development. “In order for us to make the biggest possible impact on the state’s workforce, local employers and other workforce partners will have to play a major role. We are excited to launch this event series to gather feedback on ways we can better serve communities through our Job Centers.”

OWD has been evaluating the public workforce system over the last year in an initiative called Job Centers of the Future. This initiative aimed to create a statewide approach to promoting workforce development services to the public by comparing Missouri to its 14 neighboring Midwestern states on key workforce data elements, strategies, and policies, while customizing delivery methods to best serve different regions. Job Center Connect, the second phase of this initiative, will finalize policy recommendations and establish implementation.

Learn more about OWD’s work with Job Center Connect at bestinmidwest.com.

About the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development: The department works to empower Missourians with the skills and education needed for success. More information about MDHEWD can be found at https://dhewd.mo.gov or on Facebook and Twitter @MoDHEWD.

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