Work Force Development


KCMO Ranked Third In Midwest Gig Economy

A recent study shows the Kansas City metro area ranked third among the best metro areas for the gig economy. The study, Best US Metros to Be Your Own Boss, from CommercialSearch compared more than 70 metropolitan areas in the… more

Q&A with Paul Malir, TranSystems’ Newest Acquisition

Q: How long has TranSystem been in talks with this engineering firm WBCM and what are you looking for when acquiring a group like this?  A: We have been engaged with WBCM for a little over a year now and… more

Region Shows Increase In Jobs, No Change In Unemployment Rates

Both Missouri and Kansas labor market reports indicate each is experiencing swells of jobs in varying sectors, however, the surge of jobs has not affected the state's stagnate unemployment rates.  Unemployment Missouri's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged in May… more

KS Aviation Manufactures Awarded $19 Million For Workforce Dev.

Funding from the Aviation Learning Opportunities and Funded Training (ALOFT) grant program will go toward Kansas aviation and aerospace manufacturers in an effort to ease the pressure of low workforce numbers. The Kansas Department of Commerce announced Friday that seven… more

Glimpse Into How Gen Z Will Shake Up The Workforce

Since the pandemic, the national workforce has taken a significant hit with many workers deciding to leave their jobs and now the next generation of the labor force is ready to fill those positions. Private employers added 278,000 jobs in… more

Q&A with Lia McIntosh

Q: What were the key takeaways to come from Horizon 2023 as well as more timely challenges that Kansas City business leaders face? A: Well, part of our presentations surrounds the importance of education for the workforce, that not only… more

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Reach Record High Since 2021

Figures for seasonally adjusted initial claims reached the highest level since October 2021, according to a news release from the Department of Labor. For the week ending June 3, advanced figures for seasonally adjusted claims was 261,000, up from last… more

KS Insurance Commissioner: No Workers Comp Fund Assessment for FY 2024

Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt announced on Thursday there will not be a Workers Compensation Fund assessment this year. Carriers, pools, and self-insured businesses will not be required to pay into the fiscal year 2024 assessment fund, thus reducing the… more

Payrolls Rates Climb Amidst Labor Market Shortage

The amount of nonfarm payroll experienced a dramatic swell over the month of May, the Labor Department reported Friday. Both the public and private sector payrolls increased by 339,000 for the month. The job growth continued for consecutive 29 months.… more

Department of Labor Reports Rise In Initial Unemployment Claims

In the week ending May 27, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 232,000, an increase of 2,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 229,000 to 230,000. The… more