FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 20, 2019
Contact: Katherine Trombetta, 417-880-6306 or [email protected]
City Council Hears Information on the Department of Workforce Development
The City’s Department of Workforce Development presented a quarterly impact report to City Council at their regular lunch workshop on Tuesday. Workforce Development Director Mary Ann Rojas and Workforce Development Board Member Susan Johanson also presented information on current budgets and numbers for those receiving Job Center programs and services.
“We appreciate the opportunity to update City Council on the wide range of programs and services we offer to both job seekers and businesses,” said Mary Ann Rojas, Director of Workforce Development. But despite the many training opportunities and other services the Job Center offers, WIOA budget funding saw a 7% reduction this fiscal year, Rojas said. “So, we are ramping up efforts to secure more money in the form of grants,” she added.
For the first two quarters of 2019, the Job Center has hosted 73 hiring events attended by over 1,500 individuals. Just over 300 individuals have received training through the America’s Promise Grant, Green for Greene and Skill Up, while 129 have completed Change One Thousand. The Job Center has also hosted special educational forums dealing with medical marijuana’s impact on the workforce and hiring individuals coming out of the justice system.
“The Workforce Development Board continues to provide information and resources to the local business community on timely topics such as how medical marijuana will impact the workforce to educating employers on hiring those coming out of the prison system,” said Board Vice Chair Susan Johanson who represents the private sector as a Retail Banking Officer with Guaranty Bank.
Council also saw a short video of success stories from the Missouri Job Center. Individuals who have benefited from the America’s Promise Grant, Green for Greene Training Program and the APPLIE Program gave brief video testimonials on how those programs changed their lives for the better.
The Department of Workforce Development operates at the Missouri Job Center’s two Springfield locations on East Sunshine and North Robberson and provides a wide range of services to job seekers and businesses. For more information on the Department of Workforce Development, the Missouri Job Center or the Workforce Development Board, visit Springfieldmo.gov/careercenter.
###
The Missouri Job Center is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aides and services available on request to those with disabilities. MO TTY users call 800-735-2966 or contact Missouri Relay at 711.