Workforce
One of the positive factors in the expansion of the Kansas economy is the Kansas worker. A highly motivated and well-educated workforce with a strong work ethic is ready to assist your firm. Though much of the state’s population is concentrated in metropolitan areas, firms locating in any region of the state will find a high-quality workforce ready to put its talents to work. If your company would like estimates of the available workforce for a particular community, please contact our offices at (913) 345-8347.
LABOR ENVIRONMENT
Kansas is a right-to-work state guaranteed by a 1958 constitutional amendment. Of the 23 states that prohibit compulsory union membership, 14 are enacted by state statute rather than as amendments to their state constitutions and are vulnerable to change by state legislatures. Kansas’ right-to-work status can only be changed by a vote of the people.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics,
Union Affiliation of Employed Wage and Salary Workers by State
SKILLED WORKFORCE
The state’s education system is a powerful factor contributing to the success of Kansas businesses. Both the public high school graduation rate and the percentage of the population with a bachelor’s degree are above the national average. The progressive business climate, coupled with a top-notch educational system, has resulted in an adept, well-skilled workforce. For additional information on the state’s educational institutions, please refer to the Training and Workforce Services section of the website. Kansas high schools graduated over 33,000 students in 2011. The table in this section characterizes these[H1] graduates.
Our state ranks 15th overall for business competitiveness based on ten key economic factors, including workforce, education and transportation. In addition, through our workforce development initiative, companies are receiving more value than ever from our workforce training and performance support. Companies new to Kansas, or Kansas businesses needing to expand or restructure, may qualify for assistance under one of our workforce training programs. Our Workforce Services Division is customizing a growing reservoir of business-relevant training expertise within educational institutions tailored to help your company find the skilled labor you need to achieve results. Please see the Training and Workforce Services section for more information on these programs.
| Total Nonfarm |
1337.0 |
1327.5 |
1342.7 |
-0.4% |
| Mining and Logging |
8.8 |
8.4 |
8.1 |
-8.6% |
| Construction |
53.0 |
54.1 |
57.5 |
-7.8% |
| Manufacturing |
161.0 |
160.1 |
167.2 |
-3.7% |
| Durable Goods |
98.1 |
97.4 |
104.1 |
-5.8% |
| Non-durable Goods |
62.8 |
62.6 |
63.1 |
-0.5% |
| Wholesale Trade |
59.7 |
59.0 |
59.9 |
-0.3% |
| Retail Trade |
141.1 |
140.8 |
142.1 |
-0.7% |
| Transportation and Utilities |
52.3 |
52.8 |
53.0 |
-1.3% |
| Information |
27.8 |
30.1 |
34.7 |
-19.9% |
| Finance and Insurance |
58.4 |
57.0 |
57.3 |
-1.9% |
| Real Estate and Rental Leasing |
14.4 |
14.3 |
14.3 |
0.7% |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services |
59.9 |
60.1 |
60.4 |
-0.8% |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises |
13.8 |
13.4 |
13.2 |
4.5% |
Administrative and Support and Wast Management
and Remediation Services |
77.3 |
70.4 |
67.1 |
15.2% |
| Educational Services |
18.4 |
18.2 |
18.2 |
1.1% |
| Health Care and Social Assistance |
165.5 |
161.7 |
161.9 |
2.2% |
| Arts, Entertainment and Recreation |
14.6 |
13.2 |
13.1 |
11.5% |
| Accomodation and Food Services |
100.9 |
100.1 |
101.0 |
-0.1% |
| Other Services |
52.3 |
51.7 |
52.4 |
-0.2% |
| Government |
257.9 |
262.2 |
261.3 |
-1.3% |
| Federal Government |
27.2 |
28.2 |
25.9 |
5.0% |
| State Government |
52.9 |
53.1 |
53.2 |
-0.6% |
| Local Government |
177.9 |
180.9 |
182.2 |
-2.4% |
| Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, State and Area Employment, Hours and Earnings |
Click here to view the Kansas Department of Labor Wage survey.
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