Governor Kelly Hosts Roundtable Focused on Post-Military Employment in Kansas

Governor Laura Kelly and Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland recently participated in a roundtable surrounding the Department of Defense (DoD) SkillBridge program and the efforts taking place at Commerce to grow the workforce and elevate the Kansas economy.

“Military values are Kansas values,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Our troops dedicate years of their lives serving our nation — and Kansas is committed to easing their transition back to civilian life by connecting them and their families to lucrative careers.”

At the event, Commerce and DoD professionals discussed the importance of workforce resources specifically targeted to veterans seeking employment following their successful military service.

The roundtable also featured leadership and professionals from Kansas Military Affairs, Fort Riley, Fort Leavenworth, McConnell Air Force, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and Hiring Our Heros. The discussions focused on the approaches necessary to foster economic opportunities for veterans, service members and military spouses in Kansas.

“SkillBridge is an important tool we can leverage with employers to get transitioning service members into lucrative careers as soon as possible — and make sure we keep them in our state for years to come,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “We have outstanding service members already here — and excellent employers willing to invest in strong talent pipelines. Quite simply, Kansas is the ideal place to foster SkillBridge success.”

The DoD SkillBridge program assists veterans with post-military employment opportunities such as training, apprenticeships and internships that prepare them for permanent employment at the conclusion of their service. Participating service members are granted up to 180 days as their separation date approaches to focus solely on training and gaining in-demand work experience.

Elizabeth O’Brien, Vice President of Hiring Our Heroes at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and a recognized SkillBridge advisor, emphasized the critical role of military-connected talent in addressing workforce gaps and driving economic resilience. “As industries strive to bridge the skills gap, the military-affiliated workforce offers a pipeline of highly skilled, mission-driven professionals who enhance both businesses and communities.”

With economic opportunities expanding in Kansas and an already established focus on post-military education and employment, Kansas is an ideal partner for elevating the work of the SkillBridge program and growing the workforce pipeline in Kansas.

To learn more about the SkillBridge program, visit here.

Interested in learning more about KANSASWORKS and employment resources? Click here.