One-stop centers offer workforce services

Larry Hightower is familiar with the former Division of Employment Security system in Missouri, which concentrated on a number of unemployment offices across the state.

He's also familiar with the new workforce development program, restructured in 1998, coordinating several state programs within Missouri Career Centers across the state.

Hightower, who worked at the Sikeston employment security office from 1972 to 1977, is now a designated principal assistant with Division of Workforce Development, of the Missouri Department of Economic Development, which has headquarters in Jefferson City.

The new format for unemployment centers provides a one-stop career center, said Hightower, who was in Southeast Missouri to visit career centers at Cape Girardeau, Sikeston, Caruthersville, Poplar Bluff and Kennett.

Many employment services are offered at the career centers. They keep job seekers, workers and employers from being shuffled from place to place to receive the customized assistance they need. The centers administer employment, placement, training and educational services.

The idea of the new setup was to get job services and training programs in one place.

"It's an opportunity to streamline employment and training, bringing everything under one agency," said Hightower. "We have a rapid response team that will meet with employees who have lost their jobs by layoffs. We're ready to help all employees, whether it's one worker or 1,000 workers."

The Division of Workforce Development also receives a lot of response to its Web site -- www.missouriworks.com. The Web site offers help for workers.

"Helping them find jobs is one of the big things," Hightower said.

The site receives more than 43,000 hits a month, said Hightower. That's more than double the hits on the site a year ago.

Each career center is fueled by volunteers, said Hightower.

Hightower said the career centers were prepared to assist citizens in a number of ways -- employment, job development and training. The program is designed to offer help to employees and employers.

rowen@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133