Employers

MO DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Central Workforce Development Region Employer Services
The Central Region Missouri Job Centers offer a wide range of no-cost employer services designed to help businesses grow and reduce hiring costs. Services include recruitment assistance, social media promotion for job postings and hiring events, access to tax credit and bonding programs, on-the-job training opportunities, workforce transition support for downsizing, outreach to veterans, youth work experience hosting, and specialized hiring events. These resources help employers expand their applicant pool, increase skills, and improve their bottom line.
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• Career Opportunity Training for Youth (COTY) - Employer Info
  Career Opportunity Training for Youth (COTY) is a federally funded program that connects Columbia Public Schools students with local employers to gain real-world work experience and career skills. Employers supervise and train students for up to 320 hours, treating them like any other team member while providing constructive feedback. The program covers student wages ($16/hour), workers’ compensation, and supportive services—making it a no-cost way for businesses to invest in and develop the next generation of talent.
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• Missouri Federal Bonding Program
  Uncertain about hiring a worker?  Federal Bonding is a FREE job incentive for employers to hire job seekers and retain at-risk employees. This program can be used to overcome the negative issues that an at-risk job seeker might have.
  At-risk job seekers and employees include those who:
  ~Have little or no work history
  ~ Receive public assistance
  ~ Have bad credit
  ~ Have declared bankruptcy
  ~ Cannot secure employment without having insurance coverage
  ~ Are ex-offenders
  More Info: MO program
  More Info: Federal Program

• Missouri Heroes Connect
  Veterans can bring valuable skills to your workplace. They have received world-class training while enlisted and bring those skills with them into your workplace. Additionally, military spouses face barriers to employment related to their mobile military lifestyle, including frequent relocations and extended periods of family separation due to deployments.  There are incentive programs, guides, and resources available to help you take the proper steps when preparing to hire a veteran, military spouse, or enlisted person. 
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• On-The-Job Training through Job Center
  Help your business save money while workers get the job-related training they need to succeed.  Get reimbursed for up to 50 percent of the wages of workers hired through this program (up to 1,040 hours). Connect with workers who possess a variety of skill sets from prior employment, education, and proven work ethic. Let us do the paperwork! We match your business needs with a qualified new hire and provide ongoing guidance and support until the training is complete. Contact your local Employer Relations and Engagement Specialist at Job Center for a consultation to save you time and money with On-the-Job Training.
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• The Work Opportunity Tax Credit Program
  If you are a private sector or for-profit business, you may be eligible to earn tax credits!  The Workforce Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program can reduce your cost of doing business while helping job seekers find and retain good jobs. WOTC is a Federal tax credit available to employers for hiring individuals from specific target groups who face barriers to employment. 
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MO DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Missouri One Start
Missouri One Start is the state’s premier workforce recruitment and training division. It helps eligible businesses of all sizes stay competitive by providing customized recruitment assistance, as well as resources to train and upskill new and existing employees. Its recruitment strategies and training programs are tailored to the specific workforce needs of the businesses it serves.
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OTHER RESOURCES
Missouri Child Care Works
Missouri Child Care Works uses community-based funding models to make quality child care more accessible and affordable for working families. The program brings together employers, community organizations, philanthropy, and public partners to share the cost of child care, reducing financial strain on families while providing stable funding for child care providers. Employers benefit from stronger recruitment in competitive labor markets, improved employee retention, reduced absenteeism, and increased productivity by supporting reliable child care for their workforce.
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