Registered Apprenticeship Small Business Grants Awarded; New Round Opens

TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland and the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship today announced that $28,000 has been awarded to four small businesses across Kansas for projects that will attract and retain workers and continue building the state’s workforce through apprenticeships. Each awarded company will receive $7,000.

“Over the last seven years, Kansas has invested heavily in workforce development and retention — and our Registered Apprenticeship programs have been a key part of our strategy,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “By supporting apprenticeship opportunities, we’re not just investing in Kansas businesses of all sizes — we’re providing pathways for hardworking Kansans to achieve prosperity in our state.”

The Small Business Registered Apprenticeship Grant Program assists existing Registered Apprenticeship programs with technical instruction, outreach, on-the-job training, marketing, staffing, partnerships and administrative costs. These opportunities continue to expand high-wage, high-demand Registered Apprenticeship programs across the state.

The grant awardees are:

Dalton’s Heating and Cooling, Franklin County ($7,000): Developing heating and cooling (HVAC) apprenticeships
Gifted Care Service, LLC, Geary County ($7,000): Creating healthcare and direct care service apprenticeships
Little Kyngs and Queens Daycare, Sedgwick County ($7,000): Developing early childhood education apprenticeships
Rincks Dwood Plumbing LLC, Montgomery County ($7,000): Establishing plumbing apprenticeships

“Apprenticeships have been crucial for urban communities — and especially for our rural towns and businesses in Kansas,” Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship Director Shonda Anderson said. “By awarding these funds, we’re creating a pipeline for career-seekers to obtain education that comes with a guaranteed job lined up after completion — and, in the process, ensuring we keep our skilled workforce right here in Kansas.”

The Small Business Grant Awards are open now for an additional round of funding. The application deadline is Friday, April 24.

For this new round of funding, the program will:

Increase the employee cap from 10 to 25 full-time employees to expand eligibility to more small businesses in Kansas; and
Allow current apprenticeship employers who have not hired an apprentice to apply, encouraging participation from existing programs and increasing participation

This round of funds may be used for staff time to develop programs, training equipment, related technical instruction, contracted services and administrative costs. Funding cannot be used for apprenticeship wages.

To apply or learn more about eligibility requirements, click here.

For additional information about the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship, visit the webpage 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.