Kansas has the No. 3-ranked workforce development programs in the nation, according to an Area Development magazine survey of site location consultants.

Area Development asked a group of highly respected industry consultants to respond to a “flash survey” on their picks for the best states for business. The respondents considered eight site selection criteria: business costs, business friendliness, corporate taxes, overall labor climate, work force development programs, fast-track permitting, rail and highway accessibility, and shovel-ready sites. Kansas finished No. 3 in the workforce development category, trailing only Georgia and Alabama.

“One crucial way we continue to make Kansas a strong state for business is by investing in a skilled workforce to attract more companies and jobs to the state,” said Governor Mark Parkinson. “We’re proud to see publications like Area Development recognize our commitment to creating these opportunities for Kansas workers, which is building upon our economic recovery.”

The Kansas Department of Commerce administers the KANSASWORKS workforce system, which links businesses, job seekers and educational institutions to ensure that Kansas employers can find skilled workers. The system includes various workforce centers, which are located statewide to connect businesses with job seekers in their area, and integrates Kansas universities, community colleges and technical schools so they can tailor their curriculum to the needs of Kansas businesses. The result is a seamless network in which Kansas workers receive job-specific training and Kansas businesses can find well-trained employees. For details, visit www.KANSASWORKS.com.

“The KANSASWORKS workforce system is one of the best in the nation because of the many outstanding partners that comprise the system,” said Caleb Asher, Deputy Secretary of Workforce Services for the Kansas Department of Commerce. “From our State Board to our Local Workforce Investment Boards to our education and training institutions, we continue to integrate various partners to deliver the best possible training and ensure businesses have access to well-trained workers.”

In the past year alone, the Kansas Department of Commerce and its KANSASWORKS partners have collaborated on eight successful grant applications, which will bring more than $23 million into the state for various workforce development programs over the next few years.

Visit www.areadevelopment.com to read the full survey.

For more information, contact Joe Monaco, Public Information Officer with the Kansas Department of Commerce, at (785) 296-3760 or jmonaco@kansascommerce.com.

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