WorkReadyMissouri is a joint collaboration between the Department of Economic Development’s Division of Workforce Development (DWD) and the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations’ Division of Employment Security (DES). The program is funded by two sources: U.S. Department of Labor funds administered by DWD that cover the stipends paid to job-seekers, and DES’ Special Employment Security fund, which pays worker’s compensation premiums through an agreement with the Missouri Employers Mutual (MEM) Insurance Company.

“As Missouri’s economic recovery continues to gain momentum, we remain committed to ensuring that every Missourian who wants to work can find suitable employment,” Gov. Nixon said. “WorkReadyMissouri is a win-win for unemployed workers and Missouri businesses. The program provides individuals with the opportunity to learn new skills for their résumé and maintain a connection to the workforce that could potentially lead to employment. For businesses, it provides an opportunity to train potential employees and evaluate their skills prior to hiring.”

Under the program participating businesses are not required to pay anything—not even Workers’ Compensation—and it is ideal for companies of any size. Job seekers participating in the program received valuable occupational skill training that will assist them in obtaining employment either at the business where they are receiving their training or elsewhere.

Businesses are finding WorkReadyMissouri to be an effective complement to DWD’s On-the-Job Training (OJT) Program in saving training costs while preparing new hires for their vital jobs. Missouri’s OJT reimburses 50% or more of the wages of dislocated workers hired through the program.

Job seekers or businesses interested in the WorkReadyMissouri program can learn more online.

The Division of Workforce Development produced laminated versions of the menu for each of Missouri’s 40+ career centers statewide, including Joplin and Monett in the Southwest region. The menus allow customers of NGCC welcome teams to ‘order’ which services they are interested in. Online PDF versions of the menu are available online from Missouri-Career-Source.

• New NGCC Online Career Services Menu (PDF)
• More information on Joplin and Monett Career Centers

Interested parties may comment or may petition for disapproval by sending written notice to:

Jasen Jones
WIB Administrative Director
P.O. Box 1706
Joplin, MO 64802-1706

-or-

Planning & Research Section
Division of Workforce Development
P.O. Box 1087
Jefferson City, MO 65102-1087

Request may be based on the failure of the plan to address the needs of the area, a significant client interest, or the violation of statutory requirements.

The State Parks Youth Corps project is funded through the U.S. Department of Labor and administered through the Missouri Division of Workforce Development as well as the Southwest Missouri WIB.

Current statewide draft allocations show 88 slots at five locations for the SPYC initiative specific to Southwest Missouri. Positions include categories such as Natural History, Landscape, Maintenance, Artifact Management, Interpretative Aide, Park/Site Aide, Stewardship, Visitor Center/Office Aide, Trail Maintenance, Communications, and Habitat Restoration. Locations include the Battle of Carthage, Big Sugar Creek , Harry Truman Birthplace, Prairie State Park, and Roaring River.

Positions pay $7.25/hour to eligible youth ranging in age from 17-24. The slots vary in number of weeks, but the overall timeframe for SPYC is May 1 through September 30, 2010.   For more information on the program, contact Kris Baldwin at the WIB by calling 417-206-1717.  Interested youth may call and ask for the Youth Department at 417-629-3000.

• Gov. Nixon’s recent visit to SW MO to promote SPYC

The Governor visited the Gibson Technical Center to meet with students in construction, mechanical, automotive and other training courses to detail the State Parks Youth Corps: a program that will employ about 1,000 Missouri youth, ages 17 to 24, in paid positions at one of 85 state parks and historic sites from May 1 to Sept. 30. During his visit, Gov. Nixon said demand for the positions with the State Parks Youth Corps has been strong, and youth must apply by Friday, April 16, to be considered for employment.

“Missouri’s parks are a legacy for us to pass on, and good stewardship of those parks will ensure their preservation for future generations,” Gov. Nixon said. “The young people participating in the State Parks Youth Corps will enjoy the benefits of being outdoors, gain experience that can help them with future employment, and learn to be good stewards of the land. I am pleased with the strong response we’ve seen for this innovative program, and I encourage youth across Missouri to apply today at MO.gov. The April 16 deadline is approaching quickly, so sign up right away.”

Enhancing Missouri’s parks and historic sites through the State Parks Youth Corps is one part of Gov. Nixon’s initiative to boost Missouri’s tourism industry through promoting state parks. The Governor’s goal is to boost attendance at the parks and historic sites and thereby encourage families to spend more of their tourism dollars in Missouri.

Youth in southwest Missouri will have the opportunity to work at state parks and historic sites in their area, such as Truman Birthplace, Prairie State Park, and Roaring River.   The work at parks and historic sites around the state will include performing similar trail-cutting, maintenance and landscaping duties; documenting and recording animal species at state parks; collecting statistical and survey data at state historic sites; and assisting with the planning and implementation of outdoor programs.

Young people who want to be part of the State Parks Youth Corps can apply online.  Participants will make $7.25 an hour and be eligible to work for 240 hours. Parks staff and counselors from the state’s 14 local Workforce Investment Boards will recruit and select applicants for the positions.

“Spending time in our state’s outdoors has been a formative experience for several generations of Missourians, and that includes my own experiences with my father and my two sons,” Gov. Nixon said. “In addition to the job experience and the benefits for our parks, the State Parks Youth Corps also will help many of the participants experience and appreciate Missouri’s natural beauty in a way they have not been able to.”

The Missouri State Parks Youth Corps is a partnership between the Missouri Division of Workforce Development and the Missouri Division of State Parks. Funding for the program is made possible by the federal Workforce Investment Act and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

The journal interviewed Jasen Jones at the WIB to discuss the impact of the job creation and services being provided through the WIB and the Missouri Career Center at Monett.  While onsite comments from Miracle were not available to the journal, the article cited an October 21st press release by corporate parent Playpower, Inc., the company is consolidating its domestic manufacturing operations to a center of excellence in Monett.

That was the clear message Gov. Jay Nixon delivered today during a stop in Carthage, as he kicked off Show-Me Heroes, a new initiative to connect military veterans with job opportunities when they return home from service.

Show-Me Heroes, an outreach of the Missouri Career Center system, is a campaign to showcase Missouri businesses that are willing – and eager – to hire veterans. Specifically, the program asks employers to sign a pledge to ramp up efforts to reach out to, recruit and interview veterans for job openings at their businesses.

“Missouri’s military veterans have served honorably and bravely to fight terror and secure our freedom around the world,” Gov. Nixon said. “Veterans also possess unique skills and advanced training that make them ideal candidates for many jobs. Show-Me Heroes is one clear way we can acknowledge the sacrifices made by the men and women of our Armed Services to keep our families safe and secure, and help our veterans transition to civilian life once they return home. I thank the businesses from across Missouri that have taken the Show-Me Heroes pledge, and I encourage every Missouri business to make this commitment today.”

Gov. Nixon visited Schreiber Foods in Carthage this morning before heading to a similar stop in Springfield. During his visit, Gov. Nixon spoke about the importance of the program and thanked the businesses for becoming involved. Lt. Col. Alan Rohlfing, the director of Show-Me Heroes, also detailed how other businesses can take the pledge.

“Taking the Show-Me Heroes pledge couldn’t be easier,” Lt. Col. Rohlfing said. “Employers can visit the state Web site – www.MO.gov – and take the pledge today. I urge employers across Missouri to log on and become a part of this campaign now.”

Once a company has taken the Show-Me Heroes pledge, the business is listed prominently in an online database, highlighting veteran-friendly employers across Missouri. The database includes contact information for the businesses and links to their Web sites. Employers also receive a special certificate, signed by the Governor, and a decal to display at their location.

Beyond the employer directory, the Show-Me Heroes Web site includes additional resources for job-seeking veterans. The site offers links to employment openings within state government, and a link to the Missouri Career Source, a statewide one-stop-shop for Missourians looking for work.

“Missouri’s veterans are trained, dedicated and ready to work,” Gov. Nixon said. “As we continue our efforts to turn this economy around, I am committed to getting our veterans back on the job. I ask every employer in Missouri to visit MO.gov today to take the Show-Me Heroes pledge.”

Show-Me Heroes is just the latest in a series of steps Missouri has taken to become a premiere veteran friendly state, according to the Governor’s office. Last year, Gov. Nixon signed legislation gradually phasing out the state tax on military retirement income. Under that legislation, by 2016, military veterans will not pay a single penny in state taxes on military pensions.

More information on Show-Me Heroes

• WorkforceZone article from 2/8/2010
• Show-Me Heroes Official State Website
• Show-Me Heroes network on Facebook
• Employers that have signed the pledge in the Southwest Region

Governor Jay Nixon’s initiative seeks to reward these efforts by including businesses among those referred to as ‘Show-Me Heroes.’  Just by going to the Show-Me Heroes website and submitting a simple electronic form, the business’s name will be prominently displayed along with the names of every other employer who has pledged to hire a Missouri Veteran.

Employers designated as “Show-Me Heroes” acknowledge the burdens and sacrifices made by members of our Armed Forces in order to preserve our national security. They also recognize that many of these Veterans, in addition to current members of the National Guard and Reserve, are seeking work with Missouri employees and possess the training, education, motivation, and character that is vital in today’s workforce.

“Show-Me Heroes” pledge to:

• Reach out to Missouri’s Veterans and members of our National Guard and Reserve in order to employ excellence in Missouri’s workforce.
• Take full advantage of Show-Me Heroes to effectively match qualified Veteran and members of our National Guard and Reserve job seekers with appropriate job openings.
• Provide increased employment interview occasions and enhanced hiring opportunities to our Veterans and members of our National Guard and Reserve of the Great State of Missouri.

Missouri Career Centers also provide resource linkages helpful to businesses in their pursuits for hiring vets.  Resources include the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, On-the-Job Training wage resources under the GI Bill, Vocational Rehab, National Emergency Grants, and the Hero at Home program.   Interested businesses may contact the Missouri Career Center in Joplin at 417-629-3000 and ask for the Veterans Employment Representative.