Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development

Independence, Northland KC and FEC KC Job Centers now open by appointment

Missouri Job Centers continue to open across the state to help displaced workers find meaningful employment. The Independence Job Center and Kansas City’s Northland and Full Employment Council (FEC) Job Centers opened Wednesday, July 22, by appointment only.

The remaining closed Missouri Job Centers will continue to reopen 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 and 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 as 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 hosted its first virtual job fair on July 22 to help connect Missouri businesses with job seekers. Another event will be held Aug. 5. Nearly 200 employers and 2,000 job seekers are registered for events. Interested job seekers can sign up at https://jobs.mo.gov/seeker-virtual-job-fair-registration.

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, St. Louis County, SLATE, Kennett, Park Hills, Poplar Bluff, Columbia, Rolla, Fort Leonard Wood (by appointment only), Sikeston, Washington, and West Plains.

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.