Right now in Missouri, there are 3.7 job openings for every unemployed person, according to the state's workforce development director, Mardy Leathers.
Leathers said not only is the state working to fill all those vacant job openings, but they're also trying to keep people in the jobs they already have.
"I don't think that our public workforce programs have prioritized that in the last three decades or so," he said. "It's a big shift now to say, 'Hey, if you're already in work, let's help you stay in work. And let's help skill you up, let's help you have access to things like apprenticeship frameworks."
Leathers said the state simply doesn't have enough people available to do the work that's out there, so the state is working to increase each workers productivity and make sure they have the right talent to do the work.
"We have to make sure people can operate the equipment and machinery that we have, operate the applications that we have," he said. "But also, help individuals learn new skillsets so companies then can mobilize and enter new markets, or grow in their markets and increase market share."
Leathers said companies are looking to see if work can be conducted remotely by those who don't live in the state and are trying to attract remote workers from others states.
"How are we helping reach more individuals, and how are we helping employers reach more individuals who might've been left out of their hiring process?" he said.