TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland and the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship today announced five recipients of the Rural Apprenticeship Innovation for a Stronger Economy (RAISE) grant. The grant will provide seed funding to expand Registered Apprenticeship opportunities in rural Kansas communities with populations under 50,000.

“Registered Apprenticeships give career-minded Kansans the option to earn a paycheck while gaining the necessary skills to be successful in their chosen professions,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “The RAISE grant is a way to strengthen our rural communities by creating workforce opportunities, supporting local employers, and retaining talented Kansans across the state.”

The five awarded RAISE grant projects go to:

• American Implement, Garden City ($100,000) – Funds will support increasing apprenticeship enrollment by at least 10%, reaching 12–13 apprentices across 15 employers, addressing current enrollment barriers and supporting growth of apprenticeship opportunities.
• Atkinson Industries LLC, Pittsburg ($100,000) – Funds will support the launch and expansion of nVent’s Registered Apprenticeship program, beginning with electrical roles and at least five apprentices in one year with 10–15% annual enrollment growth.
• Great Jobs KC, Topeka ($100,000) – Funds will help expand apprenticeship opportunities in Ford County with goals of recruiting 5–10 candidates and registering at least five apprentices during the 12-month grant period, beginning with Curtis Machine and adding 2–3 additional employer partners.
• Heineken Electric, Beloit ($100,000) – Funds will be used to support recruitment, training, technical instruction, transportation assistance and instructor support. With 19 apprentices in seven rural communities, the funds will aim to increase current enrollment numbers.
• Hutchinson Community College, Hutchinson ($100,000) – With 51 active apprentices, the funds will be used to add at least 12 new rural apprentices – a 24% growth in enrollment – expanding access to high-wage, high-demand careers while building a sustainable rural apprenticeship pipeline.

“Investing in Registered Apprenticeship programs means investing in communities, small businesses and hard-working Kansans,” Director of the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship Shonda Anderson said. “Our awarded organizations are creating innovative pathways that give Kansans the opportunities to build skills, earn while they’re learning, and pursue meaningful careers that are close to home.”

RAISE grants provide direct operational support—covering areas like business support, marketing and outreach, staffing, curriculum development, training equipment and program administration—to help new and existing programs grow, expand their services and reach more Kansans. Registered Apprenticeships offer a sustainable, economical way to connect residents with meaningful training for long-term careers, helping retain talent in rural areas and keep Kansas competitive.

To learn more about the support from the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship, visit kansascommerce.gov.

About the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship:

The Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship was established by Governor Laura Kelly on Sept. 6, 2022, through Executive Order #22-07. The Office supports apprenticeships across multiple industries to provide a highly skilled source of labor for employers and ensure occupational proficiency for career-seekers. The program incorporates on-the-job learning, technical instruction and mentorship to create long-term employment opportunities in Kansas.

About the Kansas Department of Commerce:

As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses.