Governor Eric Greitens announces business expansions in Joplin and Troy; expected to result in the creation of 180 new jobs in Missouri

Governor Eric Greitens announces business expansions in Joplin and Troy; expected to result in the creation of 180 new jobs in Missouri Today, Governor Eric Greitens announced that two Missouri companies operating in the state’s robust food and beverage industry will embark on expansions in their respective communities and create a combined total of 180 […]

Newton County Announces Certified Work Ready Communities Summit on August 8th

Newton County county business owners, human resource managers, and education and economic development stakeholders are set to meet and discuss how to utilize and leverage the county's upcoming recertification as an ACT Certified Work Ready Community on August 8th.  The meeting will take place from 9:00am to 11:00am at the Wright Conference Center in the […]

Crowder College Expands Area Apprenticeship Opportunities

On June 27th at the new Joplin Advanced Training and Technology Center, Crowder College formalized a partnership with Bill's Electric on development of a full time, four-year electrician apprenticeship set to begin in August. With more and more experienced workers retiring, the need for fresh talent is apparent - apprenticeships like these are one way […]

WIB director embraces new role with ACT

Since arriving in 2003 as director of the Southwest Missouri Workforce Innovation Board, Jasen Jones built a team of volunteers and staff on a mission to change lives and make prosperous communities through workforce strategies. Jones is embarking on a new chapter of his own career adventure. Effective April 24th, Jones is joining ACT as […]

Construction Trades Apprenticeship finishes strong

The WIB's first-ever Construction Trades Pre-Apprenticeship finished strong with ten graduates recognized at a ceremony held Friday, March 17th at the Joplin Job Center. Funded by Catholic Charities together with a special apprenticeship grant to the WIB from the Missouri Division of Workforce Development, other partners included Crowder College Training and Development Solutions, IBEW, and […]

WorkforceZone Winter 2017: Workforce Strategies On-Track Amidst Change

The Winter 2017 edition of the WorkforceZone, the region’s quarterly journal for workforce development, features the theme of Workforce Strategies On-Track Amidst Change. The 14-page magazine-style format may be downloaded as a printer-friendly and tablet-friendly PDF. Check out individual articles online here at WorkforceZone.net as well. Download:  WorkforceZone 2017-1 Winter Online ( PDF 11mb) Making Regional […]

ASE helps brand employers for success

Competition among employers is on the rise after the boost of economic growth following the recession and Joplin's disaster recovery momentum. Today's human resource professional needs to put his or her best foot forward to keep candidate pools flowing. That's why the WIB and its workforce partners are pleased to announce the All-Star Employer (ASE) program. Helping […]

Pre-Apprenticeship: Five Weeks to a better career

The Missouri Job Centers at Joplin, Monett, and Neosho are pleased to announce a new fast-track training program designed to equip job seekers to enter the electrical and construction sectors. Offered in partnership with Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri, the Carpenters Union, and IBEW, the program includes four weeks of training followed by paid work […]