Perceived Barriers to Workforce Training: Views from Job Seekers, Employers and Community Colleges in Missouri, USA

Purpose: The research reported in this study addresses questions central to improving access to job training at the community level. The differentiation in barriers to accessing workforce training within the same OMB classification counties emphasizes the need to place the challenge of accessing workforce training within a broader “total systems” approach to community economic development in terms of building network linkages between the stakeholders, within the specific constraints and opportunities offered by each individual place. The surveys of the community college and employers were conducted between March and May 2018. The surveys of job seekers were conducted between March 2018 and January 2019 at the State Employment Centers when job seekers came in for services. It is important to understand how ultimately the success or failure to achieve cooperation between employer and the job seekers may require active participation in the political processes at both the state and federal levels. Keyword: Barriers Faced by Job seekers; OMB classification; Community Economic Development; State Employment Centers; Community College; Employers.