Kansas had 2,474 active apprentices in 2023, ranking 38th nationwide, according to a new report from the Kansas Department of Commerce.
This marks an increase of 571 active apprentices compared to the previous year. In 2022, Governor Laura Kelly established the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship under the Kansas Department of Commerce to “give workers the experience and skills to compete in the modern economy and knockdown employment barriers.”
“This is not your grandfather’s apprenticeship program. I say this with full respect for skilled trades and past training methods. Our program is not a ‘less than’ training opportunity. It is designed to enhance opportunities in skilled trades, occupations, and industries to drive this economy forward,” said Shonda Anderson, Director of Apprenticeship and Internship.
In addition, there were 1,287 new apprentices in 2023, placing Kansas at 35th nationwide. The state had 180 active programs offering training in areas such as agriculture, manufacturing, construction, education, and healthcare.
Some of the biggest job creators in Kansas are offering apprenticeships.
“We are actively implementing strategies to cultivate and reinforce our established apprenticeships. Currently, Textron, Bombardier, and Kellogg are onboard. We are also in discussion with some new names we hope to bring into our program,” Anderson said.
New Apprenticeship Programs
The Apprenticeship Office has partnered with the Kansas State Department of Education to launch an innovative educator opportunity. This initiative will allow aspiring teachers to avoid student debt and unpaid student teaching. Teacher apprentices will enter the classroom on day one, earning a wage and benefits such as a 401(k) and health insurance. Applications are accepted until June 1. The Kansas Registered Apprenticeship Standards established a minimum wage of $14/hr., with a 2% raise every six months as skills and experience grow.
Furthermore, the office plans to develop apprenticeship opportunities in healthcare, offering post-licensure LPN programs. Plans for post-licensure RN programs are also in development.
Additionally, the office is working on developing apprenticeship programs tailored for people with Down syndrome or those reentering society from the prison system.
“We are taking what people think they know about apprenticeship and flipping those thoughts upside down, making moves to challenge traditional perceptions of apprenticeships, aiming to redefine the concept and its potential impact,” Anderson said. “We know opportunities like these will create greater pathways and opportunities for everyone in the state of Kansas, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender, creed, and disability status.”
A Growing Option After High School
Anderson said her church hosted a high school graduation day where new high school graduates shared plans for their future. One student was excited to share about joining the apprenticeship program as a lineman with Evergy. His program consists of 10,000 hours of on-the-job training and almost 2,000 hours of related technical instruction. Despite the program being free, the student’s mother still wanted him to attend a traditional four-year university. Anderson questioned why the student’s mother wouldn’t want him to take advantage of a free opportunity and instead take on student debt.
“He can take that apprenticeship with Evergy, immediately secure a stable income from day one, along with valuable benefits like a 401(k) and health insurance — all things important to our community and important to Kansans. As opposed to enrolling in classes at a university, which often leads to accumulating thousands of dollars in student debt,” Anderson said.
Target Goals for 2024
To achieve target goals for 2024, the Office of Apprenticeship aims to enroll 4,500 residents in a registered Apprenticeship Program. The office also plans to have 491 apprentices graduate and expects to maintain and run 225 active apprenticeship programs. Furthermore, the office of apprenticeship aims to have 180 operating Apprenticeship Sponsors in Kansas and is working to establish 225 providers for Technical Instruction.
The office aims to expand programming by providing resources, growing existing programs, and establishing new ones.
Wage data highlights the significant advantages for Kansans considering apprenticeship programs.
“We have some apprenticeship programs where the average salary after program completion is around $30-32 an hour, and we also have some ending at $60,” Anderson said.
Kansas Apprenticeship Tax Act
House Bill 2292, a $13 million initiative in Kansas aimed at boosting registered apprenticeships in high-demand industries, provides a tax credit of up to $2,750 per apprentice, per year, for a maximum of 20 apprentices per company.
“Coming from me, I have a college degree. I completed both my undergrad and graduate studies. While I value my education, I also recognize the distinct advantage of possessing practical skills. Practical skills that allow you to actually do something with your hands, that’s a gift that nobody can take from you, and that’s always going to be in demand.”
