Submitted

On Wednesday, Sept. 23, Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced the launch of the Kansas Office of Apprenticeship State Grant, a new funding opportunity designed to strengthen and expand Registered Apprenticeship programs across Kansas. The new grant will support both new and existing apprenticeship programs while promoting opportunities for youth ages 16 and 17 to enter high-quality career pathways in high-wage, high-demand occupations.

“Creating opportunities for our students and employers to connect at the early stages of professional careers is key to building a strong and sustainable Kansas workforce,” Toland said. “Investing in Registered Apprenticeship programs will provide Kansas businesses with reliable and skilled workers while also setting up young Kansans for rewarding careers right here in their home state.”

Grant funding will support activities such as program development and expansion, staffing, outreach, employer engagement, technical instruction, partnership development, and other operational costs that strengthen Registered Apprenticeship programs. Individual grants of up to $100,000 will be awarded.

As part of the grant requirements, applicants must commit to one of the following engagement activities:

• Successfully register a minimum of two apprentices ages 16-17.

• Complete a minimum of four structured K–12 and community engagement activities (e.g., presentations to students, school counselors, school boards, chambers of commerce, or local governing bodies, or coordinated site visits with K–12 partners). Career fairs will not qualify toward this requirement.

Applicants must also list both their target occupations and industries based on NAICS codes.

“Registered Apprenticeships have been one of the most effective workforce strategies in Kansas because we’re connecting education with real employment opportunities,” said Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship Director Shonda Anderson. “This grant supports the growth of Registered Apprenticeship by expanding opportunities for Kansas youth and helping employers develop the skilled workforce needed to keep Kansas competitive.”

The grant is designed to expand new and existing Kansas-based Registered Apprenticeship programs, with a goal of increasing new apprenticeship enrollment and the number of 16- and 17-year-old apprentices by at least 5 percent year over year, particularly in high-wage, high-demand occupations.

Eligible Kansas Registered Apprenticeship programs are encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted from Friday, Sept. 18, to Friday, Oct. 23. A webinar to explain the grant will be from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1. Join the Teams webinar by visiting https://teams.microsoft.com/dl/launcher/launcher.html?url=%2F_%23%2Fmeet%2F296936577804206%3Fp%3DIIKjvwNqlzr0wsKCBt%26anon%3Dtrue&type=meet&deeplinkId=13b47662-1fba-4b47-b3f7-54080ddef0a7&directDl=true&msLaunch=true&enableMobilePage=true&suppressPrompt=true.

To learn more about the grant and to submit an application, visit https://www.kansascommerce.gov/workforce/kansasregisteredapprenticeship/kansas-office-of-apprenticeship-state-grant/.

The Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship continues to expand innovative workforce solutions that connect employers with skilled talent while creating sustainable career pathways for Kansans. More information about Registered Apprenticeship and available resources can be found at https://ksapprenticeship.org/dinner-bell-calls/.