In this section:

Workforce Development

The Workforce Development unit focuses efforts and resources to prepare workers for careers in Kansas’ highest-priority fields, such as health care, advanced manufacturing/aviation, energy, and health sciences. Education and training in these critical industries will help ensure a strong Kansas economy long into the future. Successful workforce development programs improve our learners’ employability and earnings potential and continued profitability for employers. The Workforce Development unit:

  • serves as the link between higher education and the workforce and economic needs vital to local communities and the state;
  • fosters economic development in the state by providing leadership in defining and advocating statewide economic development initiatives;
  • partners with the Kansas Department of Commerce and Kansas Department of Labor to develop an integrated education and workforce training system that unifies efforts, produces highly skilled workers, and leverages resources to aligned priority needs and maximize benefits;
  • supports college partners as they provide high-quality, cost effective, short-term, career-relevant training solutions, as well as academic programs and certifications aligned with the needs of today's employers.

KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE PARTNERSHIP

Agency leadership at the Kansas Department of Commerce (Commerce) and the Kansas Board of Regents (the Board) recognize the link between economic development and workforce development. Both the Kansas Framework for Growth and Building a Future documents describe the critical importance of this relationship.

Commerce holds a seat on the Technical Education Authority and the Board holds a seat on the state Workforce Board. The two agencies work on various initiatives together such as:

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce and provides funding for four separate programs: Adult Programs, Dislocated Worker Program, Youth Program, and Wagner-Peyser Labor Exchange. WIOA requires State Workforce Agencies to partner with other State Agencies (which administer Vocational Rehabilitation and Adult Education) in the collaborative strategic four-year plan, approved by the state Workforce Board, describing how WIOA will be implemented in the state. WIOA State Plans are available at https://wioaplans.dol.gov/.

Kansas Micro-Internships

The Kansas Micro-Internship (KMI) program supports the Kansas Board of Regents’ “Building a Future” strategic plan and the Kansas Department of Commerce’s aim to help create economic success for Kansas residents and businesses.

Micro-Internships are short-term, paid, professional assignments in business, communications, education, finance, human resources, information technology, marketing, research, and many other areas. The first three Kansas Micro-Internship projects (up to a maximum of $500 per project) completed for a Kansas organization or entrepreneur by students currently enrolled in any of the 32 Kansas public colleges and universities are available at no cost thanks to funding provided by the Kansas Department of Commerce and foundations.

These no-cost KMI projects will be available until the current funding is depleted or renewed.

There is also a wide array of learn and earn opportunities for Kansas organizations and career seekers via the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship, which supports apprenticeships across multiple industries.

Student Requirements:

  • Be at least 18 years of age.
  • Complete the free online Agile Work Profiler.
  • Enroll in a credit course offered by any of the 32 Kansas public colleges or universities.

Student Benefits:

  • Projects available all year.               
  • Projects can be completed remotely.
  • Expanded career network.
  • Gain new skills and experience.
  • Get paid 90% of the project fee.

 

Employer Requirements:

  • Be a Kansas based business, nonprofit organization, or entrepreneur.
  • Select an eligible undergraduate Kansas student.
  • Set the project fee equal to a salary of $20 per hour.

Employer Benefits:

  • On-demand help all year.
  • No paperwork required.
  • Enhanced talent pipeline.
  • Reduced recruitment/hiring costs.
  • Employers can learn more or register at www.kansasmicrointerns.com

Students can learn more or register at https://info.parkerdewey.com/kansasmicrointerns