Southwest Missouri Highlights from State Workforce Conference

The 2006 Governors Conference on Workforce Development was held October 11-13 in Osage Beach. One of the Super Sessions for the conference profiled the WIB Benchmarking Project. Southwest Missouri was one of our leading edge WIBs in the Show-Me State selected for this research project, which is gaining national attention. WIB member Gary Little and WIB Executive Director Jasen Jones participated as panel speakers for the event.


The recent state workforce conference honored Individual Achievement Award nominees from each of Missouri’s fourteen workforce regions. The award recognizes a Missouri Career Center customer that successfully reaches employment and training goals while overcoming significant obstacles through extreme determination and use of the Center’s resources. The WIB’s One-Stop Workgroup nominated Peter Cowles of the youth program. Peter overcame underemployment, homelessness, and extreme family medical issues and now earns $12-$17/hour (based on output) at La-Z-Boy Manufacturing in Neosho. Peter noted, “They reached out their hands to me when I was in a desperate time of need. All I can say is thank you for all the people who believed in me.”

Joplin Chamber, WIB, & School Project Wins State Award

The Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce netted two "Awards of Excellence" from the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Missouri (CCEM). One of the awards in the category of "Outstanding Programs" was presented to the Chamber for the Youth Outreach Workforce Partnership, developed last year by the Chamber in conjunction with the WIB and Joplin High School through a grant program administered by the WIB.

The initiative targets at-risk youth unable to acess adequate skill resources and who are in need of vocational direction to adapt to today's ever-changing job market. Students selected for this program participate in job readiness components such as job applications, resume development, job interview practice, customer service skills, and job retention/survival skills.

Congrats to the Chamber for this and its "Outstanding Website" award for joplincc.com. Chamber officials plan to submit profiles on both the youth program and the website for consideration in a nationwide competition later this year with the American Chamber of Commerce Executives association.

The 2006-2007 youth outreach project is already underway. Youth will tour the Joplin Career and participate in career readiness training October 25th. This year’s project builds upon last year’s WIB grant funds and is now completely funded by sponsorships from Joplin Chamber members.