AGC Posts

Build Up Kansas Helping Fill Workforce Pipeline, Reversing Declines in Rural and Urban Portions of State

August 28, 2024

WICHITA, KS – For years, business leaders overwhelmingly agree that their No. 1 concern is having the sufficient skilled trade talent to meet workforce demand. Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Kansas and Build Up Kansas have been working to energize the Kansas workforce pipeline, and the results are supporting Kansas’ economic development efforts and creating more opportunities in rural and urban areas that had stagnated.

In the past five years, AGC of Kansas has partnered with state leaders in the governor’s office and legislation with strong bipartisan support to develop a network of career and technical education (CTE) and vocational programs in Kansas high schools, community college and vo-tech colleges.

“We need 58,000 skilled workers over the next five years to meet Kansas’ construction and growth needs,” said Mike Gibson, executive vice president of Build Up Kansas, AGC of Kansas’ workforce-driving initiative. “Fortune 500 companies and small businesses need to know that Kansas has the workforce available for their projects. Getting young women and men the instruction they need and laying out career paths is putting our state in a great position to succeed.”

Seeing New Career Paths

For decades, a push to send all students to four-year college paths has deemphasized the traditional vocational education and skilled trades in high schools – to the detriment of the communities who would need those workers for many projects and growth. Build Up Kansas, along with support of industry partners, state and national departments of education and elected leadership, sought to reverse that direction.

With curriculum developed by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), more than 200 certified instructors in 125 Kansas high schools, community colleges and vo-tech colleges are enhancing vocational programs. The NCCER training, along with hands-on practical experience gained from these programs, is getting young people into the workforce into immediate, high-paying jobs such as welding, finished carpentry, heating and air conditioning, sheet metal working and electrical. Often without the debt incurred by many four-year university students.

“Young people see the jobs available, the careers, and they are realizing that Kansas is where they can be successful,” said Gibson. “They’re staying here and helping grow their communities – earning more and benefitting from lower costs of living in Kansas.”

Crucial Projects Throughout Kansas

These workers, earning hourly wages well above other starting positions, are taking on massive projects from next-generation technology developments including computer and microchip production plants near Kansas’ biggest cities to infrastructure replacement projects that are providing clean water and better roads throughout the state.

The augmented talent base has an effect in all Kansas industries – not just construction. Skilled workers are needed in aviation and manufacturing, as well as the small businesses that serve smaller cities and towns. As Baby Boomers and others retire, many small companies in plumbing, electrical and other services are needing new leadership and management. These trained workers can become entrepreneurs taking over or building their own small businesses and leading some of Kansas’ biggest construction companies.

Build Up Kansas Milestones

Assisting 125 Kansas high schools, community colleges and vo-tech colleges to start or enhance vocational programming
Offering young women and men CTE/vocational programming, starting as early as high school (carpentry, plumbing, welding, sheet-metal, concrete, electrical, heavy equipment operators and much more
Supplying valuable industry credentials for young women and men to apply for professional careers in the construction industry
Providing a platform where Kansas construction firms post their job openings in rural and urban areas of Kansas; allowing online applications
Enrolling over 8,000 young people in CTE/vocational programs statewide
Certifying over 225 high school/community college/vo-tech college instructors to teach vocational programs
Issuing over 80,000 credentials in completing CTE/vocational programs