Skilled KC intends to provide a student-centered experience to support residents that want to earn a credential that will set them on a successful career trajectory or give them a boost in their current profession to work, live, and earn.
The opportunity
In the Kansas City metro area, there is a job market that is growing rapidly with a tight labor market. There are 236,000 jobs in the skilled trades, or about one out of every five total jobs (21%).
The current industries are growing but have a greying workforce and are in desperate need of new employees. Evidence shows that several of these occupations, like advanced manufacturing or information technology, have a combination of large employment numbers and higher-than-average pay, making them good career options for job seekers.
Higher levels of educational attainment are increasingly important for accessing living wage careers, yet 44% of the workforce does not have any type of postsecondary credentials.
An initiative to pilot a solution
The initiative, Skilled KC Technical Institute, an affiliate of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, provides an industry-aligned, agile, and student-centered learning experience to support residents that want to earn a credential that will set them on a successful career trajectory or give them a boost in their current profession as our mission states “to equip and empower people to work, live, and earn.” In partnership with many organizations, Skilled KC will support closing the gap for people to access valuable credentials to jump start careers and find job placements.
Preparing for the future
Beginning in September of 2020, Skilled KC launched three pilot programs providing adult learners, and eventually high school students, opportunities to earn industry-recognized training and credentials in advanced manufacturing, software development, and biotechnology. These are all growing industries in the region that are seeking more talented employees. In addition, there are embedded student supports and a Skilled 3E entrepreneurial mindset curriculum mapped to technical competencies in each program providing essential skills training employers desire in new hires. For more information, please contact Estuardo Garcia, Community Communications Manager at egarcia@skilledkc.org , or visit their website.