Located in:
- III. Operational Planning Elements
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include an Operational Planning Elements section that supports the State’s strategy and the system-wide vision described in Section II(c) above. Unless otherwise noted, all Operational Planning Elements apply to Combined State Plan partner programs included in the plan as well as to core programs. This section must include—
- b. State Operating Systems and Policies
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include a description of the State operating systems and policies that will support the implementation of the State strategy described in section II Strategic Elements. This includes—
- b. State Operating Systems and Policies
III. b. 3. B. State Board
Provide a description of the State Board, including—
Current Narrative:
Missouri’s Workforce Development Board (MOWDB) represents a wide variety of individuals, businesses and organizations throughout the state. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is designed to help jobseekers and workers access employment, education, training and support services needed to succeed in the labor market, and match employers with the skilled workers needed to compete in the global economy.
The Board serves as a convener of state, regional and local workforce system partners to enhance the capacity and performance of the workforce development system; align and improve employment, training, and education programs; and through these efforts promote economic growth. The Board actively participates and collaborates closely with the required partners of the workforce development system, including public and private organizations. In addition, board meetings always allow for conversations with employers, education officials, economic development representatives, and others to further efforts towards achieving the purpose of WIOA, the state’s workforce vision and goals. Several state board members are also representatives on local workforce development boards. This provides a value-added component to state board meeting conversations. This approach has proven crucial in the Board’s role to help integrate and align a more effective job-driven workforce system that invests in the connection between education and career preparation. State Board members value the opportunity to engage and advise Missouri’s workforce partners in the setting and implementation of workforce policy for the state’s local workforce regions/areas.
The vision of the State Workforce Development Board is to prepare Missourians to enter the workforce with marketable skills and provide businesses with recruitment assistance to find workers with the skills they need.
The mission of the State Workforce Development Board is to engage employers, education providers, economic development and other stakeholders to help the workforce development system achieve the purpose of WIOA and the state’s strategic and operational vision and goals outlined in the State Plan.
Board Leadership
Len Toenjes, Associated General Contractors of Missouri (Newly appointed chair)
Cara Canon, ProEnergy Services—Sedalia – MOWDB Vice Chair
Dr. Mardy Leathers - MOWDB Director
Board Members
The Board includes high-level management representatives from Missouri’s most successful companies, organizations and government entities. State Board members represent a broad range of perspectives and each member has a sincere desire to help enhance the workforce system. Board members bring their individual, and sometimes regional, perspectives to board discussions. Members are connected to statewide, local and regional workforce efforts. This mix of knowledge and skills supports a foundation of perspectives that ensures conversations are meaningful and encourages all members to contribute, especially from core program officials.