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Skill Up Program

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SkillUP is a free program that helps SNAP (Food Stamp) recipients get help with skills, training, and employer connections to get a job (or a better job). A SkillUP job coach will work with you to create an individual plan to help you reach your goals and start a new career.

The SkillUP program can also help you: Pay for short-term training and certifications, Create or update your resume, Decide on your goals and a career pathway, Get real work experience, Connect you with employers, Connect with resources such as childcare and housing assistance, Buy clothing, books, supplies, or tools required for a training or a job, Pay for minor car repairs to help you get to training or work.

The SkillUP Program is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).  The program is also funded through the Administration for Children and Families, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant.

Dislocated Worker Program

Those eligible for dislocated worker services include workers permanently laid off due to a workforce reduction, business closure, or farm failure and displaced homemakers, including military service members or spouses.

Services include:
Assessment of education, experience, and skills to determine marketability to the desired workforce area.
Assistance with basic education skills or in obtaining a General Equivalency Degree.
Provision of classroom or vocational training necessary for laid-off workers to re-enter the workforce in a new occupation.
On-the-job training to provide laid-off workers with the opportunity to train for a new job while working and earning a paycheck.
Job development and placement to help laid-off workers find employment in high-demand occupations.
Counseling to help workers overcome the trauma of job loss, loss of health care and other company benefits, the strain of financial obligations, family problems, and uncertainties about remaining in the community.

For more information, contact the Job Center in your area.

Adult Program

Individuals 18 and over must meet income guidelines to be eligible. They will begin with core services and, if needed, move to intensive services. This program is designed to assist qualified persons in achieving their career goals.

Services include: Initial Assessment, Outreach, Intake, and Orientation, Eligibility Determination, Job Search, Job Placement Assistance, and Career Counseling, Resume Assistance, Labor Market Information, Performance/Cost Information on Training Provided, Performance Information on the One-Stop Support Services, Information on Unemployment Claims, Information on Financial Aid for Training, Follow-Up Services.

For More Information Contact the Job Center in your area.

Job Centers

Job Matching
Search for quality job openings and access job search tools on the MoJobs app on jobs.mo.gov!

Available Job Search Resources
Access computers, printers, copiers, scanners, fax machines, phones, and assistive technology at no cost to help you search and apply for jobs.

Measure & Certify Skills
Stand out to employers with ACT's National Career Readiness Certificate! Show evidence of your skills by earning a Bronze, Gold, Silver, or Platinum certificate available at no cost to you through your local Job Center.

Resume Writing Assistance
Does your resume stand out to employers and get you that interview? If not, work with our experienced staff one-on-one to develop a resume and cover letter employers will notice.

Work-Based Learning
Gain the skills you need to obtain employment.  Learning opportunities are available for eligible job seekers. Job Center staff are available to determine your eligibility and identify programs that are right for you.

Veteran Services

The Career Center has dedicated staff to assist veterans through the Disabled Veteran's Outreach Program and the Local Veteran's Employment Representative Program.

Disabled Veteran's Outreach Program specialists provide case management and develop career and job training opportunities for veterans, with special emphasis on veterans with service-connected disabilities.

Local Veterans Employment Representatives facilitate or provide assistance in job placement and accessing needed services. They also advocate for veterans by developing employment opportunities with businesses.

Services Provided: Counseling through case management, Job Development; Testing; Transitional assistance to separating service members; Identification of employment and training opportunities and direct referrals to jobs; Monitoring job listings from federal contractors to ensure eligible veterans get priority referrals to these jobs; Monitoring Missouri Career Centers to ensure priority of service to veterans; Monitoring federal department and agency vacancy listings; and Referral screening of complaints from veterans regarding observance of veteran's preference in federal hiring to the Director of Employment and Training Service.

Job Guidance

Not sure how to get started with your job search? Whether you've lost your job, looking for a new job, or ready to start your first job, we're here to help. No matter where you are in your job search, we can provide online and in-person resources, products and services to you at no cost. Get started now! (Click here to go to MoJobs)

Once you've enrolled in MoJobs and used it to search for a job, the Wagner-Peyser program is the next step.  Wagner-Peyser is a federally-funded program providing labor exchange services to employers and job seekers statewide. The goal of labor exchange services is to help job seekers obtain meaningful employment opportunities and assist employers in obtaining skilled and productive employees.

Services for job seekers include: job placement, resume preparation, testing, job-seeking skills workshops, computer-based job matching, and labor market information.
If you're interested in Wagner-Peyser services, please visit the Job Center in Your Area.

Veterans get priority of service at the West Plains and Poplar Bluff Job Centers. In addition to our normal services, the job centers also offers special training programs just for veterans.

Labor Market Information

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Wondering what the average wage for workers in your type of business is in your county? Would you like to know what the unemployment rate was for your county last September? Cost of living? Taxable sales? Your local career center can provide most labor market information, utilizing the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC).

Labor market information is available at no cost to help businesses understand Missouri's workforce labor market conditions and trends. Businesses can access valuable information in the form of tables, narrative, charts, and graphs.