Local Organizations Announce “Forward Together” Workforce Summit
Joplin, MO – September 15, 2025 – MOKAN Partnership, in collaboration with Missouri Southern State University, Crowder College, Joplin Regional Alliance for Health, University of Missouri Extension, Workforce Investment Board, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, will host the Forward Together Workforce Summit on Friday, September 26, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the MSSU Billingsly Center, Connor Ballroom.
The summit will bring together employers, educators, and community leaders to tackle pressing workforce challenges and explore solutions that empower communities across the region. Attendees will learn from area experts on workforce development, apprenticeships, effective leadership, and collaborative tools designed to strengthen the pipeline of skilled talent.
Missouri State Senator Jill Carter will deliver the keynote address, offering insight into workforce policy and the importance of building strong partnerships to prepare the state’s workforce for the future.
“This event is about bringing our region together to address the challenges we all face,” said Amy Kauffman, Executive Director of MOKAN Partnership. “Workforce development is not a challenge that any one organization can solve alone. It takes collaboration between employers, educators, and community leaders to ensure we are building a strong, future-ready workforce.”
The Forward Together Workforce Summit is open to employers, HR professionals, educators, workforce organizations, and community stakeholders.
Event Details:
Date: Friday, September 26, 2025
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: MSSU Billingsly Center, Connor Ballroom
Registration is available online at www.mokanpartnership.com/register.
The host organizations share a commitment to advancing education, economic development, and workforce innovation across the region, making the Forward Together Workforce Summit a true collaborative effort to build a stronger future.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Lisa Robinson, University of Missouri Extension, robinsonlj@missouri.edu
Jason Spangler, Crowder College, jasonspangler@crowder.edu