Career Center “Guide to Services” Updated

May 15th, 2009

The Missouri Career Centers statewide are pleased to offer the latest roadmap to products available known as the Guide to Services.  You may download the guides here as PDF documents.

For more information, call your local Career Center in Joplin at (417) 629-3000 or in Monett at (417) 235-7877.

WIB Announces Summer Youth Jobs Initiative

April 22nd, 2009

The Workforce Investment Board (WIB) of Southwest Missouri announced Wednesday its plans to offer a summer employment program that prepares youth across the region for exciting careers in high-demand, high-paying sectors for the 21st century.

The Next-Generation Jobs Team, matches youth ages 16 to 24 with paid summer jobs and internships at cutting-edge employers throughout the region. As part of the program, the WIB and Career Center staff assist young people to identify career fields of interest and then make value-added placements with participating employers.

“The Four-State Region’s economy is well-diversified and ripe with opportunities for youth in the career pipeline,” noted Jasen Jones, Executive Director for the WIB.    “In addition to valuable work experience, it’s our goal that youth in this program see real life examples of how their current and future studies in school are relevant in today’s workplace,” Jones added.

Next-Generation Jobs Team participants will spend the summer gaining on-the-job training and work experience, along with ongoing guidance and support from professional career counselors from the Joplin and Monett Career Centers.  Wages for the young workers are funded by the U.S. Department of Labor through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

In the statewide announcements this week, Governor Nixon lauded how the program not only helps young people gain vital experience, it helps employers develop a pool of talent to meet their needs for educated and qualified workers and to “build the workforce that will lead Missouri’s economy into the future.”

Young Missourians or businesses interested in participating in the Next-Generation Jobs Team can apply by way of the website or call Kris Baldwin at 417-206-1717 Ext. 229.  The program is available between May 1 and September 30, 2009.  There is no fee to participate, but some eligibility requirements will apply.

The WIB is also recruiting employers that could benefit from providing internships to youth in growth-oriented, skills-driven sectors.  Interested businesses may contact Gary Box at 417-206-1717 Ext. 227.

MEC Plans Immigration Seminar

May 16th, 2008

The Monett Area Missouri Employer Committee invites business owners and human resource professionals to its next seminar on Immigration. 

Hal Wood, with Advisory Management Services, will present information on labor market and immigration, changes to immigration law, immigration issues with the application process, types of documentation, the “no match” letter, and new approaches and penalties from ICE for illegal hires.  Read the rest of this entry »

Joplin Earns “Choice City” Ranking

May 9th, 2008

Get Your Kicks on Route 66 is a vintage song that gave Joplin national recognition years ago as a popular stop along Historic Route 66.   Joplin is back in the national spotlight for its business climate.  A national business publication profiled Joplin as a top 25 “Choice City” among metro areas in the nation deemed most attractive for business development. Read the rest of this entry »

Missouri Employer Committee Plans OSHA Seminar

March 12th, 2008

The Joplin Area Missouri Employer Committee invites safety managers and human resource professionals to its next seminar titled “OSHA 101.”

Mark Banden, a compliance assistance specialist with the U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA, is the featured speaker.  Banden will speak about working with OSHA, OSHA compliance assistance and give an introduction to safety and health management programs.  Daniel Stark, program manager of the Missouri Division of Labor Standards, also will give a presentation on the Consultation Program.

The seminar will take place from 8:30 a.m. to noon on April 3 at the Missouri Career Center in Joplin.  The center is located at 730 S. Wall Ave.

The non-refundable registration fee of $20.00 covers a continental breakfast and all seminar materials.  Checks should be made out to Missouri Employer Committee and mailed to the Missouri Career Center by March 27.

Additional sponsors include the Missouri Career Center, Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Division of Workforce Development, and the Workforce Investment Board of Southwest Missouri.

For additional information or to request special accommodations, call Shirley Click at 417-629-3000.

Leadership Course Announced

January 3rd, 2008

Missouri Southern State University is offering a leadership skills course that begins in January.  Titled “Leadership Development for Today’s Quality Organizations,” the course will take place on Thursday evenings starting Jan. 24 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Robert W. Plaster School of Business Administration at MSSU.  The course ends on March 13.

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New Minimum Wage Poster Updated

January 1st, 2008

The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations has updated the state’s minimum wage poster effective as of January 1 for the wage increase.  Download the poster here to help keep your organization in compliance with posting requirements.  Remember, don’t fall for direct mail scams to pay big bucks when these posters are available free through the Missouri Career Center! 

Tax Credits Announced to Sustain Development Project

October 30th, 2007

Gov. Matt Blunt announced today that the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) has approved state tax credits for $1,828,596 over a five-year benefit period for AT&T under the Enhanced Enterprise Zone program. The credits will be utilized for a new facility located at 4001 S. Richard Joseph Blvd. The business operations at the project facility will be a customer care call center for wireless business customers.

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MO Ranks Favorably in Costs for Business

August 22nd, 2007

The Milken Institute, a renowned independent economic think tank, released its study of the most expensive and least expensive states for businesses.   The Show-Me state shows favorable to business with Missouri coming in as one of the states in the top least-expensive for doing business, ranking at 43 of 50 in total cost index overall.

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Career Center “Goes to Bat”

August 17th, 2007

The Carthage Chamber’s first-ever Small Business World Series is a showcase of local businesses with a baseball flavored tailgate party event on Thursday, August 30th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.  The event takes place at the historic Rock Stadium inside the Municipal Park in Carthage.  The Missouri Career Center is one of the tailgate exhibits that visitors will see as they “round the bases” at the event. 

“The objective for this event was to provide an opportunity for member businesses to promote goods and services to the general public in an unusual fashion at an unconventional location,” noted John Bode, President of the Carthage Chamber of Commerce.  “I’d say the committee has done a great job meeting that objective.”

In addition to the unique tailgate displays, a special appearance of Louise, the Springfield Cardinals mascot is set to boost the baseball theme of the event.  The Gadget Guy, aka Brad Douglas from KSN-TV, will emcee the event. 

Tracy Lemmons and Deb Baugh will represent the Career Center at the event.  The “tailgate booth” will feature information on services and initiatives through the center.  For more information on the Small Business World Series, contact the Carthage Chamber of Commerce at 417-358-2373.