Great Jobs KC

The nationally recognized research firm, Mathematica, recently conducted an independent evaluation assessing the Great Jobs KC Job Training Program. We're excited to share the various ways in which we have impacted and expanded Kansas City's workforce community. For example, we've enrolled over 7,200 Scholars since our inception. Every quarter, we enroll roughly 1,500 adults in our program. That number has reached 3,000 adults post-study! We also hold up well under comparison -- our enrollments exceed 5,000, compared to 600 enrollments in similar-sized cities. We're so proud of the substantial progress that we've made and are dedicated to continuing this work to make KC's workforce stronger. #JobTraining #Workforce #Growth

Reflecting on Impact It’s been a month since Mathematica shared the results of its independent evaluation of Great Jobs KC, and we’re still reflecting on the stories and data that highlight the power of opportunity and support. Our Approach: • Intensive Scholar support to remove barriers to success. • Career pathways focused on household-sustaining salaries. • Dedicated employer and partner engagement teams driving collaboration. What It Means: For Scholars like Karla, a Pawsperity-trained dog groomer: “One year ago, I was in a cycle I did not believe was breakable. (But now) My family and friends see a change in me none of us thought possible. I want to say thank you with my whole heart for Great Jobs KC.” For James, a CDL driver: “A couple of years ago, I was working a bunch of dead-end jobs that didn’t last long. Now, I have options — a lot of great options. Right now, I feel like I’m on top of the world.” These stories remind us why we do this work. Together, we’re creating pathways to success for individuals and the Kansas City community. 💛 #CommunityImpact #GreatJobsKC #WorkforceDevelopment #KansasCity

Reflecting on 2024, Great Jobs KC CEO Earl Martin Phalen shares an inspiring message about the work we’ve accomplished and the journey ahead: “Every day, I am humbled by the dedication and passion of the Great Jobs KC team as we work toward helping 50,000 Kansas Citians on the pathway to better lives. With over 670,000 individuals in the Kansas City area still struggling to make ends meet, our mission remains clear: connecting more people to opportunities that create real change." None of this would be possible without you — our supporters, donors, Scholars, employees, and partners. Your contributions of time, talent, and resources fuel this vision, helping us dream bigger, do more, and create a Kansas City where opportunity is within everyone’s reach. 📢 Read the full message and explore the latest updates in our December newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/eafjzcnv #GreatJobsKC #KansasCity #CommunityImpact

Missouri’s skills gap is holding businesses and workers back: • 52% of job openings require mid-level skills. • Only 46% of workers meet those requirements. In his recent Kansas City Business Journal op-ed, Earl Martin Phalen, CEO of Great Jobs KC, outlines how our proven, scalable training model is closing this gap by: ✅ Offering comprehensive support to remove barriers for job seekers. ✅ Partnering with local businesses to match skills with workforce needs. 💼 KC’s business community has a vital role to play in addressing this challenge. Read the full article to learn how you can collaborate with us to build a stronger workforce and economy: https://lnkd.in/eAHF5Fwd #WorkforceDevelopment #KansasCityBusiness #GreatJobsKC

We're excited to share an awesome update from one of our Scholars, Karla. Karla recently wrote on our blog about her experience as a Scholar and how we helped her achieve her goals as a Pet Stylist at Petco. We're happy to share that Karla has quickly been promoted to a supervisor position! We're so proud of Karla and all of our Scholars who are working hard to achieve their dreams. Want to hear more about Karla’s journey? She shared her story in our latest blog: https://lnkd.in/eHJp4X4X #KCScholars #ScholarAchievements

It's #InternationalVolunteerday! We're so grateful to our amazing community reviewers who help turn our scholarship program into a reality for our Scholars. Thank you for dedicating your time and effort to creating a stronger Kansas City. Want to join them? Applications open Jan 9. More info here: https://lnkd.in/e-SpJHAD #KansasCity #Volunteer #KCScholars

Our Adult Learner Scholarship applications close in TWO days! Make sure you apply by 5pm on December 6th for an opportunity to accomplish your academic and professional goals. Apply here: https://lnkd.in/e42iDnRq #AdultLearner #Scholarship #KCScholars

According to an independent evaluation by Mathematica, participants in Great Jobs KC Programs see a 91% increase in salary! When our Scholars graduate from our programs, they find higher-paying jobs with benefits, sometimes doubling their income. We're proud to help our Scholars access these opportunities and work towards making a more prosperous Kansas City community. #JobTraining #KansasCity

With over 3,000 graduates in the Kansas City area in various careers, our Alumni network is expansive. Our Alumni hold degrees and certificates in a wide variety of industries, from education to healthcare. The Great Jobs KC Alumni program provides an opportunity for all of our Scholars to access a network of contacts and resources to help them continue to thrive in their careers. Learn more about our Alumni program here: https://lnkd.in/ePB6YCEp #GreatJobsKC #Alumni #KCScholars

This Thanksgiving, all of us at Great Jobs KC are thankful for our Scholars who inspire us every day by striving for their goals. We're also grateful to our job training partners, Postsecondary Network partners, employer partners, and all of our donors who help us in our mission to create a stronger Kansas City workforce and community. We wish everyone a happy and healthy Thanksgiving! #KCScholars #JobTraining #Scholarships #KansasCity