TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced $550,000 in grant funding is available to support the expansion of registered apprenticeship programs across Kansas.
The Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship grant will be divided into two distinct opportunities aimed at attracting and retaining more skilled employees. The first is a continuation of the established registered apprenticeship sponsor funding, available to state educational institutions, joint-labor organizations, businesses, nonprofits and workforce boards to support projects that expand their reach. The second is a new opportunity for small businesses to help them adopt registered apprenticeship programs.
“We have been intentional with our approaches to increase the reach and impact of registered apprenticeship programs in Kansas for one simple reason – they work,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “In the last three years, we’ve made extraordinary progress — with employer participation increasing from 280 companies to more than 1,000. These grants will help ensure even more employers can take advantage of the power of apprenticeships, and their ability to attract and retain talent.”
The existing program offers grant awards up to $150,000 which can be used to support technical instruction, outreach, staffing, partnerships and administrative costs. In addition, small business grants of $7,000 also will be available to companies with fewer than 10 employees that register at least one apprentice by the end of the grant period. Both applications must be completed by September 20, 2026.
“This grant opportunity has played a key role in expanding high-wage and high-demand registered apprenticeship programs across Kansas,” Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship Director Shonda Anderson said. “We’ve been extremely successful in expanding not only union-based apprenticeships but adding new industries such as agriculture, healthcare and manufacturing. We want to ensure businesses of all sizes get access to these opportunities.”
The Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship grant program is one of many tools offered by the Kansas Department of Commerce to support workforce development for high-wage, high-demand occupations statewide. To apply or learn more about the office, the program and other resources offered, click here.
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. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
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.
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