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Workforce Development Board
The Board was first established as the Workforce Investment Board (WIB) through the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) to be the voice of business in the areas of education and training. In 2014, under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), The Board became the Workforce Development Board (WDB) or "the Board". The Board strives to identify workforce, education, and training needs in the Ozark Region, which is comprised of the counties of Christian, Dallas, Greene, Polk, Stone, Taney, and Webster. Working through the Missouri Job Centers (Springfield and Branson), the Board coordinates delivery of services to assist businesses and job seekers. It is a volunteer regional organization, one of 14 in Missouri.
Chair
The Current Chair of the Workforce Development Board is Ms. Susan Johanson. Ms. Johanson may be contacted through the local Workforce Development Office.
Office
The Workforce Development Office is housed at the Springfield Missouri Job Center, 2900 E. Sunshine, Springfield, MO, 65804. Phone: 417-887-4343.
Members
According to WIOA, the Board must have a minimum of 51% business representatives. They must be owners of businesses, chief executives or operating officers, and other executives or employers with optimum policy making or hiring authority. In addition, the Board strives to have representatives who have employment opportunities in the local area.
WIOA also requires certain organizations be represented on the Board including: education, economic development, labor, government, and local community organizations.
Become A Member
Business Representatives who are interested in becoming a Board member are asked to complete a Candidacy Application. When completed and submitted, the Chamber of Commerce in the applicant’s community is contacted to request a letter of recommendation, as is the local County Commission. Once all documents are received, the candidate is presented to the WDB and Council of Local Elected Officials (CLEO) for final approval.
Meetings
The Board normally meets on the first Wednesday of every other month at 8:30 a.m. at the Springfield Missouri Job Center, unless otherwise noted. Meetings normally last about an hour. Board Subcommittee meetings are held on alternating months.