Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development

Columbia, Rolla, Fort Leonard Wood, Sikeston, Washington, and West Plains Job Centers now open

Several Missouri Job Centers across the state reopened to the public over the last week. The Columbia and Rolla Job Centers opened Wednesday, July 8, and Job Centers in Sikeston, Washington, and West Plains reopened on Wednesday, July 15. The Fort Leonard Wood Job Center also opened July 8, by appointment only.

The remaining closed Missouri Job Centers will continue to open back up in the coming weeks as part of the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development’s Return Strong initiative. The initiative is focused on reopening all of the state’s Job Centers in a safe in responsible manner. Although the centers will be open for in-person services, social distancing and other health guidelines will be implemented for the safety of staff and visitors. Job Centers will follow local health guidelines, including mandatory mask ordinances in cities and counties with the restrictions. Job seekers and displaced workers can still access services by phone at 1-888-728-5627, or online at jobs.mo.gov.

Also a part of the Return Strong initiative, staff are focused on helping Missourians skill up and get back to work. Displaced workers may be eligible to receive free training vouchers of up to $4,000 to skill up or retrain. Job Center staff are prepared to assist those receiving unemployment benefits with their required weekly job search activities, as well as with training opportunities, career services, and resume writing.  

The department is hosting two virtual job fairs to help connect Missouri businesses with job seekers. The events will be held July 22 and Aug. 5. Nearly 200 employers are set to participate. Interested job seekers can sign up at  https://jobs.mo.gov/seeker-virtual-job-fair-registration. Employers interested in being a part of the Aug. 5 virtual event can still sign up at  https://jobs.mo.gov/virtual-job-fair-employer-registration through July 23.

All Missouri Job Centers closed to the public in March when Gov. Mike Parson closed state office buildings due to COVID-19. Safely reopening the centers is an important part of the state’s economic recovery efforts. Job Centers already open to the public include Springfield, St. Charles and St. Louis County, SLATE, Kennett, Park Hills, and Poplar Bluff.

Learn more about Return Strong at jobs.mo.gov/return-strong. Find all of Missouri’s full-service Job Centers at https://jobs.mo.gov/sites/jobs/files/owd-jc-map_03-26-2020.pdf.

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.