Work Force Development


Kansas region receives nearly $10M for workforce training

The U.S. Department of Labor announced today the award of $145 million in the H-1B One Workforce Grant Program to invest in training for key sectors of the U.S. economy. One regional recipient is the Workforce Alliance of South Central… more

Kansas recognized as national leader in wind energy production

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly today announced that the state of Kansas has once again been recognized as a national leader in wind energy, with Business Facilities Magazine noting high rankings for Kansas and awarding an Honorable Mention to the Grain… more

Small Business Administration sees large expansion with center openings

Twenty new Women’s Business Centers across the country are now open through the U.S. Small Business Administration. The opening of these new locations marks the largest single expansion of Women’s Business Centers in organization’s 30-year history. Centers will serve as… more

December job losses attributed to drop in restaurant positions

The economy lost 140,000 jobs in December, all of which can be attributed to a plunge in restaurant employment of 372,000. Other sectors highly sensitive to the pandemic, such as hotels and recreation, also lost jobs. The resurgence of COVID-19… more

Kansas City among list of best cities for remote work

Since the onset of COVID-19, remote work has become the norm for many Americans. Surveys show that about half of American workers were working from home in the late spring of 2020. Many researchers believe that increased work flexibility may… more

COVID-19 reveals fast-growing careers, emerging remote jobs

A variety of remote jobs emerged in 2020 as a result of COVID-19. The website FlexJobs analyzed over 50 career categories, finding 10 offering remote jobs that have grown at a high rate since the pandemic started. The 10 categories… more

Report shows Mo. employers expect steady staffing in 2021

The Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC) released new statewide employer survey results to correspond with its 2020 Missouri Economic & Workforce Report, which was published earlier this fall. The Economic & Workforce Report tracks the state’s economy and… more

Head of Kansas Labor Department steps down, governor selects acting Secretary

Governor Laura Kelly has appointed a new Acting Secretary of Labor for the state. Governor Laura Kelly says on Tuesday she appointed Deputy Secretary of the Kansas Department of Labor, Brett Flachsbarth, as the Acting Secretary of Labor. She said… more

Is KC employers’ recruiting edge—housing costs—in peril?

It’s a question worth asking for companies in recruiting mode as new figures show the Kansas City market posted the second-highest annual sales price increase in the U.S. in October. That’s according to the realty data experts at Zillow, whose… more

Missouri virtual job fair to seek filling healthcare worker jobs

On Tuesday, Dec. 22, the Missouri Office of Workforce Development (OWD) will host a Return Strong Virtual Job Fair in partnership with the Missouri Hospital Association. This fair will specifically seek job candidates to fill entry-level clinical and non-clinical positions… more