Local workforce partners and employers shared ideas today to help get more Missourians into the workforce, and stay in the workforce during the ninth town hall event in a series offered by the Missouri Office of Workforce Development (OWD) within the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development (MDHEWD).

Today’s event was held at the Drury Inn Convention Center in Cape Girardeau. The Job Center Connect Town Hall events are focused on engaging communities in conversations about improving the state’s public workforce system and troubleshooting barriers and solutions to sustainable employment.

Each event featured a look at regional workforce data and small-group style discussions to gather ideas and feedback.

Some of the themes that emerged from the conversations included internet access, community outreach, and the marketing and promotion of job center services.

The Cape Girardeau event was the ninth and final Job Center Connect Town Hall meeting scheduled between August and October.