UMKC recently announced a major award from the National Science Foundation, that will result in innovation and investment in the region. FEC's President and CEO Clyde McQueen says of the effort, “This project holds great promise for the region’s workforce, and will create pathways for thousands of in-demand, quality careers in sectors that play to the Kansas City region’s economic strengths. Through training and support systems that match the needs of employers and job seekers concurrently,...

Tyryn, a senior at Central High School, enrolled in the I-70 Career Academy. The program gave him valuable preparation for a career, including resume creation, interview prep, workplace expectations. I-70 Career Academy also included a Virtual Reality (VR) component, which allowed students to explore an array of careers, from veterinary medicine to mechanical and building maintenance. Tyryn’s favorite VR experiences were the fiber optic installation and office work, where he learned about...

Proclamation NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK APRIL 26-MAY 2, 2026 WHEREAS, National Apprenticeship Week annually raises awareness of the vital role Registered Apprenticeships provide in meeting critical industry workforce demands. Registered Apprenticeship programs develop the highly skilled workforce that employers need and create pathways for Americans to catapult into in-demand, high-paying careers in the Kansas City vicinity and across the nation; and WHEREAS, Registered Apprenticeship...