Funds available for businesses to grow training programs to benefit workforce

With the 2023-2024 budget cycle, the Kansas Legislature appropriated $14.3 million to the two-year college system in hopes of impacting the state’s labor shortage. Community and technical colleges receiving the flexible-use funds are learning they have great latitude in how they use them. This can be powerful for businesses and industry who take notice. 

Butler Community College received $1.4 million, one of the larger amounts awarded. The goal is to impact workforce and fill vacancies. 

“These funds allow us to be very creative with companies and industries in the development of training programs,” said Dr. Kim Krull, president of Butler Community College. “If we need to help them build a training program, provide training to their employees or establish an apprenticeship program for them, we can do all of that and these funds can help pay for it.” 

According to Heather Morgan, executive director of the Kansas Association of Community College Trustees, there is nothing too big or too small in regard to the training initiatives that can be developed. 

“Community colleges have been recognized as the workforce training provider for Kansas business and industry and now for the first time community colleges have been provided funds to assist business and industry in developing the training they need, not necessarily for academic credit, but to provide employees the skills they need to be successful."  

The funds cannot be used for scholarships, but can assist with paying for equipment, tools, or certification exam fees. Both credit courses and non-credit courses qualify, which is unique. Currently, Butler is working with regional companies, both large and small, on various training initiatives. Some are nearing the threshold to announce publicly.  

“We want companies to share with us what’s keeping them from getting employees trained,” said Tom Nevill, Butler’s vice president of academics. “With these funds, it allows for innovation that maybe felt out of reach before. With our more than 90 for-credit programs and our third-party noncredit partners through Career and Workforce, we can be very creative and responsive to industry needs.” 

Career and Workforce Education has access to technical training, like welding, automotive technology, diesel technology, construction technology, as well as cyber and Information technology and more. Noncredit offerings are just as broad, ranging from SHRM courses to fiber optics to business functions, logistics and management.  

Contact Career and Workforce Education at (316) 323-6118 or email [email protected] to learn more.