Workforce Development

Find talent. Build skills. Grow success.

Now more than ever businesses understand the value of resources and support that helps them access the qualified workforce talent they require to grow and succeed and that ensures current and future employees have the skills necessary to meet evolving industry demands.

Our Economic Development team has compiled a collection of local workforce development resources to assist employers. Talent solutions, all in one place.

Talent Acquisition Support

In a competitive labor market, businesses can benefit from talent acquisition support that assists in efficiently identifying and attracting qualified candidates and explores creative solutions to workforce challenges.

Kansas Department of Commerce

The state Department of Commerce has a number of workforce-focused services and incentives available to assist employers in hiring, retaining, and training talent.

Workforce Partnership

The non-profit Workforce Partnership is part of the statewide public workforce development system, operating career centers in Johnson, Leavenworth, and Wyandotte counties offering professional expertise and funding resources to employers and eligible job seekers, including candidate recruitment, screening, and assessment; marketing assistance with job openings; on/off site recruitment events; and custom training solutions.

KansasWorks

KansasWorks, a statewide public workforce service, is a web-based job-matching and labor market information system, providing employers, job seekers, and training providers with free easy-to-use resources that support a wide range of activities including job and resume posting and tools to search for the ideal job, candidate, or training provider.

KC Career Network

Access resumes of recently displaced talent or individuals making the transition to KC that may be a fit for your company’s employment opportunities.

Area Educational Institutions

If you are posting your workforce needs to commonly-used hiring websites like LinkedIn, Indeed, and CareerBuilder, consider utilizing employer services and job posting opportunities offered by area public educational institutions, including:

The area is also home to a number of private post-secondary institution campuses, including Lenexa Chamber of Commerce members:

Employment Agencies

Don’t have an HR department? Employment agencies can connect businesses with qualified job candidates and streamline the hiring process by handling recruitment, screening, and placement for various job types, including temporary, contract, and permanent positions. 

To get you started, these employment agencies invest in the community through Lenexa Chamber of Commerce membership.

Outsourcing

Focus on your core operations by delegating certain tasks and functions to specialized external providers, allowing you to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and leverage external expertise.

Use our membership directory or contact the Lenexa Chamber of Commerce for assistance in finding companies who can provide outsourced services for needs such as building maintenance, assembly/packaging/fulfillment, human resources, payroll management, benefits, IT support, contract labor, and more.

Kansas Micro-Internships (KMI)

Get specific projects completed and connect with potential future employees through the Kansas Micro-Internships (KMI) program. Administered under the Kansas Board of Regents and Kansas Department of Commerce, KMI connects organizations with interns for short-term professional assignments, typically completed remotely, in business, communications, education, finance, human resources, information technology, marketing, research, and more. Currently the first five KMI projects up to a maximum of $500 per project are available at no cost to the business!

Non-Traditional Job Seekers

Don’t overlook job seekers who may not fit the traditional mold, such as candidates with disabilities, veterans, older adults, and the justice-impacted. In today’s rapidly evolving job market, unlocking this talent pool can tap into innovation, diversity, and a hunger to succeed!

Several area resources can help get your search started, including:

International Talent

Workers from abroad are an important part of the regional workforce! Resources are available to assist businesses in connecting with international talent, navigating immigration regulations, and providing adequate support for welcoming workers into the community.

If you’ve already diversified your workforce internationally or are interested in exploring foreign talent, the International Team at the Kansas Department of Commerce offers consultations and services and can assist you with foreign labor certification.

Building a Workforce Pipeline

Building a strong workforce pipeline is a crucial strategy for businesses to consider in order to cultivate a steady flow of skilled employees and sustain long-term growth.

Work-Based Learning With K-12 Students

Real World Learning programs link K-12 classroom instruction with hands-on experiences for students – for example, skills practice and career exploration with younger students, and internships, job shadowing, and industry projects for older students.

Students gain practical skills, career exposure, and better readiness for college or work, while employers build a future talent pipeline and strengthen awareness and connections within the local community.

To learn more about RWL opportunities for your business in the three K-12 public education districts serving Lenexa, visit:

For ideas, resources, and connections to additional school districts across the Kansas City metro, explore the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation’s Real World Learning website.

Post-Secondary Internships

Internships provide employers the valuable opportunity to evaluate potential future employees, bring fresh skills and ideas into the organization, raise awareness of their organization, and build a pipeline of trained talent.

Potential resources for connecting with local internship candidates include:

As a bonus, TeamKC intern programming can provide a curated set of tools and experiences to help interns explore living, working, and playing in our region!

Kansas Micro-Internships (KMI)

Evaluate potential future employees from at least 32 Kansas post-secondary institutions while you mark projects off your business “to do” list through the Kansas Micro-Internships (KMI) program.  Administered under the Kansas Board of Regents and Kansas Department of Commerce, KMI connects organizations with interns for short-term professional assignments, typically completed remotely, in a wide range of business needs.

Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships incorporate on-the-job learning alongside technical instruction and mentorship, with long term employment as the outcome priority. More than 1,000 Kansas employers in more than 160 occupations are already taking advantage of the state’s apprenticeship system that offers a wide array of opportunities for both small and large businesses.

Training Support

Effective training resources are essential for businesses to keep employees’ skills sharp, increase productivity, and stay competitive in a rapidly changing market. Among the many training partners located within minutes of Lenexa are:

Johnson County Community College

JCCC’s Workforce Development and Continuing Education resources offer general and customized training that can increase workforce skills, boost productivity, and enhance career potential. Training programs provide CEUs, certificates, and licensure in business skills development, careers and technical trades, small business development, and more.

University of Kansas-Edwards Campus

Home to the KU School of Professional Studies, aimed at programs for in-demand professions in today’s workforce, the local University of Kansas-Edwards Campus offers more than 60 degrees, certificates and professional education programs accessible either at the campus or online, with instruction, curriculum and support designed for adult learners.

Kansas State University-Olathe Campus

The K-State-Olathe Campus offers resources, training options, and 15+ programs aimed at making today’s workers industry-ready, providing upskilling opportunities, and cultivating research and discovery that develops new technologies to solve real-world problems.

Private Educational Institutions

There are many private post-secondary institutions in the region offering a variety of programs, training, and certifications, both online and at local campuses, to enable current and future employees to take the next major step in their careers, including:

Workforce Partnership

The non-profit Workforce Partnership is part of the statewide workforce development system, operating career centers in Johnson, Leavenworth, and Wyandotte counties, whose employer services include custom training solutions and funding resources.

Private Training Providers

Workforce training resources are widely available through local private training providers, industry associations, and consulting firms, offering access to customized programs that upskill employees, improve productivity, and keep businesses competitive.

Use our membership directory or contact the Lenexa Chamber of Commerce for assistance in finding area workforce training providers.

Workforce Tax Credits and Funding

Through its Department of Commerce, the State of Kansas offers a number of workforce-related tax credits and funding programs aimed at helping employers meet their workforce needs. Learn more about what financial incentives and resources may be available to assist in hiring, retaining, and training the talent you need to keep your business moving forward.

The non-profit Workforce Partnership, part of the statewide workforce development system and operating career centers in Johnson, Leavenworth, and Wyandotte counties, also has funding available to help support on-the-job training, adult internships, incumbent worker training and apprenticeships, as well as customized training needs.

Want to share with new or prospective employees what it’s like to live and work in Lenexa? Find information about our city and the Kansas City region that can help you attract, welcome, and integrate talent into the community by visiting:

Don’t see information you need? Contact our Economic Development staff at 913-888-1414 for additional assistance.