KANSASWORKS Works for Kansans

KANSASWORKS, the workforce services division of the Kansas Department of Commerce, was created to serve the needs of job seekers and businesses across our state by helping prospective employees connect with employers. Hundreds of thousands of Kansas residents—140,000 in 2019 alone—have received employment and reemployment assistance from KANSASWORKS over the years.

I think we can all agree that developing and retaining a strong pipeline of talent is key to the health and sustainability of our economy. It goes without saying that we want quality jobs for Kansans; we want the men and women of our state to have reliable employment that allows them to provide for their families and live comfortably.

What often gets overlooked, however, is that having access to a strong workforce is the primary consideration for companies when deciding where to locate. Simply put, companies don’t choose to do business in places they’re not confident they will be able to find people to fill their jobs.

For these reasons, it’s critical that the state be a reliable partner in providing workforce services to the people of Kansas.

Governor Kelly said it best: “Currently, thousands of Kansas workers at aviation suppliers across the state—including at Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita, the state’s largest private employer—have been hit hard by the recent suspension of 737 MAX production. This is a prime example of the importance of the state serving as a strong partner in workforce services.”

We must continue to find creative ways to deliver the services that Kansans need.

I had the privilege this week of joining Governor Kelly and members of the KANSASWORKS State Board to cut the ribbon on the newest member of the state’s Mobile Workforce Center fleet.

KANSASWORKS has 26 brick-and-mortar Workforce Centers across the state, providing much-needed services such as job search guidance, help with resume writing, skills assessments and more. But the reality is, these centers aren’t easily accessible to all Kansans simply because the expanse of our geography. Mobile Workforce Centers, and the newly-launched KANSASWORKS Live Chat feature, allow us to bring those same services to areas of the state that are more remote. This is a game changer.

Since launching the first Mobile Workforce Center last March, it’s traveled to more than 90 events across our state—making workforce services available to people who otherwise wouldn’t have received them. I’m thrilled that we were able to add a second mobile unit to the fleet and am confident we will be able to provide services to even more Kansans moving forward.

Whether you’re a military veteran looking to transition into the civilian workforce, someone looking to gain new skills through a Registered Apprenticeship or a Kansan in a rural community with a long commute to the nearest Workforce Center, we must continue to innovate and elevate our services to meet your needs.

You can learn more about the services provided by KANSASWORKS at kansasworks.com. If you’d like to request a Mobile Workforce Center come to your area, visit to kansascommerce.gov/mobileworkforce.

Ad Astra Per Aspera,

-DT