Davids Announces Federal Grant for New STEM Career Training Program

Today, Representative Sharice Davids announced the U.S. Department of Commerce’s (DOC) Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded Goodwill of Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas (Goodwill MoKan) with $499,196 to create a new STEM-based job training program to help local job seekers find permanent high-wage careers in the technology sector. Participants who start careers through the program are expected to see an annual income increase of at least 200 percent.

“No matter where they live or their educational background, all Kansans deserve a good-paying job to support their families and contribute to our local economy,” said Davids. “This federal investment is a huge win for our region, where employers are eager to hire for technology jobs.It will provide both job seekers with the opportunity to learn technical skills, leading to higher-paying careers, and a positive return on investment for our community."

The investments announced today will help Goodwill create the “Bridge to Technology and Careers in Greater Kansas City” program, which will increase diversity and equity in technology-based fields in the Kansas City metropolitan area. The course will expose participants to emerging technology, provide employer-developed skills training, and connect job seekers with local employers.

Individuals participating in the program will receive computer devices, internet services, transportation, clothing, child care, and more to assist in learning. By October 2025, it’s expected the program will help at least 80 Kansas City residents start junior-level tech careers, 55 of which through federally registered apprenticeships.

“Goodwill of Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas is excited and humbled to have received EDA’s STEM Talent Challenge Award for FY2023,” said Mike Sinnett, President and CEO, Goodwill Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas. “This investment by the federal government will empower more people to overcome the digital divide, pursue in-demand credentials, and earn apprenticeships and employment in technology-based careers in the Kansas City metro. We are grateful for the support of Congresswoman Davids as Goodwill MoKan strives to empower people through work.”

"The EDA's investment in Kansas City is a huge win,” said Julian Nicks, CEO, LaunchCode. “It is a signal of a continued commitment to developing a high-quality, diverse tech-enabled workforce so current and future Kansas City companies can continue to thrive and grow. We are honored and proud to stand alongside Goodwill of Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas in this important work. Our joint efforts will continue to invest in the untapped potential of local Kansas City residents by creating free, accessible education and pathways to high paying, in-demand careers in technology."

While our economy is experiencing record job creation, Davids has been squarely focused on boosting workforce opportunities for Kansans. She was the only member of Kansas’ congressional delegation to vote for the bipartisan infrastructure law, which is creating good-paying construction jobs at home. Davids also voted for major bipartisan manufacturing legislation last year, which has already generated more than 100,000 jobs nationwide. Finally, Davids previously announced Kansas’ Third Congressional District has created more clean energy jobs than any other congressional district in the country over the past year.

Background:

This grant was awarded by the EDA’s STEM Talent Challenge, a national competition that supports programs to train science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) talent and fuel regional innovation economies across the nation. The 11 awardees, selected from a pool of 90 applicants, will increase America’s STEM-capable workforce in the emerging and transformative sectors such as aerospace, biomanufacturing, cybersecurity, data science, geospatial, artificial intelligence, information technology, and advanced manufacturing.

The goals of Goodwill’s new program are to serve demographic groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in technology, like women, BIPOC, low-income people, and people without 4-year degrees; increase access to training for high-wage technology careers; and ultimately diversify Kansas City area employers through the placement of apprentices and workers in their companies.

Upon completion of Goodwill’s 4-week program, job seekers can apply for a tech career program through LaunchCode, where they’ll earn no-cost technical training certificates, be placed in high-wage STEM-job opportunities and apprenticeships, and received career preparation services, including resume review and mock interviews. Program graduates are then introduced to well-paid tech opportunities through the Accelerator’s apprenticeship program. The Accelerator is offered at no cost to participants, removing a financial barrier.

Throughout all steps, individuals will be supported through dedicated case management by Goodwill staff, who will check in with job seekers regularly, encourage progress on career development plans, and either directly fund or make referrals to essential, training-related services.

The 14 counties eligible for program participation include Johnson, Leavenworth, Miami, and Wyandotte in Kansas, as well as Bates, Caldwell, Cass, Clay, Clinton, Jackson, Lafayette, Linn, Platte, and Ray in Missouri.