Kansas Board of Regents Approves Five Apprenticeship Pathways at Butler

Last month, the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) approved five different apprenticeship pathways for public delivery. The approved apprenticeships include plumber/pipefitter, construction trades, electrical, sheet metal and a general workforce track.

With KBOR’s approval, the pathways have been updated, and are now eligible for Kansas Promise Scholarship dollars in which qualified Kansans can apply to have their tuition, fees, books and required materials paid for by the state.

This feeds what Shonda Anderson, director of Apprenticeship and Internship for the Kansas Office of Apprenticeship, calls a “renaissance of respect for the skilled trades.” She served as the keynote speaker at Butler’s Technical Education Advisory Board Dinner in October.

These apprenticeships include up to 47 hours of credit-for-prior-learning (CPL), which equates to between 5,000 and 8,500 hours of on-the-job training. This is a ‘learn while you earn’ experience, meaning apprentices can earn wages and not pay for the training. And if an associate degree is desired, the student only needs another 15 credit hours from Butler. There’s also a transfer track to Pittsburg State University toward a bachelor's degree through an established 2+2 articulation agreement.

“We’ve been pleased with this apprenticeship opportunity with Butler,” said Tony Naylor, training director for the Wichita Electrical Training Center / JATC. “To have the ability for individuals to enter our industry through a ‘earn while you learn your trade’ model has been very impactful for businesses and local families. They also receive college credits for the technical instruction.”

Butler has worked with union groups in Kansas and Oklahoma for more than 10 years through the college’s Career and Workforce Education Department (formerly known as BETA).

“With the $1.4 million in state funding provided to Butler for workforce innovation and the millions of dollars available in the state for tax credits, companies have incentive to innovate with Butler,” said Dr. Tom Nevill, Butler’s vice president of academics.

Butler’s Career and Workforce Education offers credit and noncredit training, providing access to the college’s 90+ degree paths such as welding, automotive technology, diesel technology, construction technology, as well as cyber security, information technology and more. Through its third-party vendors, 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 via email [email protected] to learn more.