Employment & Training

Individuals who qualify for the WIA program receive services to help them become self-sufficient. These services include:

• Job readiness training
• Job search assistance
• Career exploration assessment
• Case management
• Financial assistance for approved career and technical training programs
• On the job training
• Supplies for job searching and job retention

Listed below are the three categories and eligibility criteria for clients that may qualify for WIA services:

Dislocated Workers: - Individuals, 18 years and older, that have lost their employment due to a permanent layoff, plant closure, fired, or displaced homemaker. Household income is not an eligibility factor.

Youth - Individuals ages 14 through 21, who are a member of a household that receives public assistance: Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance (TA) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or meets income eligibility criteria AND who have a youth barrier. Youth Barriers: Basic skills deficient, pregnant/parenting, school dropout, youth with disabilities, offender, homeless or runaway, or need additional assistance to complete an education program or to secure and retain employment.

Adults - Individuals, age 18 or older, who are a member of a household that receives public assistance: Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance (TA) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI); or meets income eligibility criteria.

Missouri Work Assistance (MWA)

Individuals who are currently receiving Temporary Assistance (TA) AND who are referred for MWA services by the Family Support Division (FSD) are eligible. The Missouri Work Assistance program works with individuals receiving TA to help them become job ready.

Individuals receive a complete assessment and orientation to help them explore career choices and aptitudes. Staff provide case management services to the individuals to assist them in overcoming barriers that may prevent them from obtaining or keeping employment. Each participant is required to be in acceptable activities for a specific number of hours each week. Participants who are in an acceptable work or school related activity, where travel is involved, may receive a travel allowance payment. This payment is called a Transportation Reimbursement Expense and can be up to $5.00 per day. Participants may also receive up to $350.00 per year to help with Work Related Expenses (i.e. uniforms, steel toed shoes, etc.). Tuition assistance for approved programs and schools may also be available.

Special Projects

The Employment and Training department is also awarded grant money each year to operate special projects for the C-WIB. Current projects include:

Hero at Home - This program is funded through federal workforce funds and is designed to help the spouses of Missouri Guard and Reserve Troops who have been activated.

Employment and training programs are available in all 8 counties, however in Columbia, Jefferson City and Mexico, CMCA operates Career Centers. Missouri Career Centers are "one-stop-shops" for all employment and training needs. CMCA and the Division of Workforce Development work together to provide integrated services. Information regarding the services available at the Career Centers can be found at the Central Region Workforce Investment Board or the Division of Workforce Development.