Kansas Labor Market

Kansas workers are a driving factor in the expansion of our state’s economy. With outstanding schools and good partnerships between
industry and education, Kansas businesses have access to a workforce that is prepared to meet the needs of companies in a highly competitive global economy. Though much of the state’s population is concentrated in metropolitan areas, firms locating in any region of the state will find a motivated and skilled workforce ready to put its talent to work.

Unlike most states, Kansas combines economic development and workforce services in its Department of Commerce. This combination
creates a seamless experience for employers as they seek assistance in addressing their employment needs. It also helps to ensure that workforce services programs are employer demand-driven and focused on providing the skilled workforce sought by Kansas employers.

Commerce’s Workforce Services Division programs of special note to employers include:

• Recruitment and screening assistance is available at no cost through KANSASWORKS Workforce Centers across the state.
  A list of these locations can be found at KANSASWORKS.com
• KANSASWORKS.com is a website for both jobseekers and employers. Companies can list their job vacancies on this site at no
  cost and can also search resumes posted by jobseekers.
• When a company takes the KanVet pledge, KANSASWORKS staff will work with that company to link qualified veterans to job
  openings.
• The Kansas WORKReady! Certificate is awarded to job seekers taking the ACT WORK Keys tests (reading for information, applied
  mathematics, locating information). Many Kansas employers utilize this tool as a key measure of work readiness and prefer
  candidates scoring at specific levels of performance. A map reflecting the number of KansasWORKReady! Certificates attained by level in each county can be found at KANSASWORKS.com.
• Workforce Aligned with Industry Demand (Workforce AID) is a partnership between Commerce and the Board of Regents
  implementing pilot projects to align workforce training and education with industry opportunities and demand, linking
  education to a job.
• The Governor’s Career Technical Education Initiative through the Kansas Board of Regents is a highly unique program focused
  on developing the pipeline of future employees in Kansas. This program allows Kansas high school juniors and seniors to take
  technical education courses through a community or technical college and have the tuition paid for by the state.