Youth Job Training in Kansas

The Kansas Department of Commerce is inviting applications for the Youth Job Training program aimed at supporting young individuals in Kansas. This initiative seeks to help youth stay in school until graduation, pursue postsecondary education, and secure quality entry-level jobs that can lead to career opportunities. The program is designed to address the shortage of skilled trades in the state and to keep young people engaged in their communities. A total of $500,000 has been allocated for this program in 2024, with individual grants available for up to $100,000 per community. The primary purpose of the Youth Job Training program is to provide job training for youth aged 12 to 19. The program aims to enhance self-sufficiency and employability through various forms of assistance, including literacy training, independent living skills, simulator training, resume writing, internships, job coaching, and general job readiness training. Priority will be given to programs that focus on job training in industries identified in the Framework for Growth and those that address high-demand employment sectors within local communities. Eligible applicants for this grant include all incorporated cities and counties in Kansas that do not receive an annual Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Notably, cities such as Kansas City, Lawrence, Leavenworth, Manhattan, Overland Park, Topeka, Wichita, and all of Johnson County are ineligible. Additionally, a city or county will be disqualified if it has an open CDBG project that requires a time extension or has exceeded its original contract end date. The funding can be utilized for a variety of expenses related to youth job training. Eligible costs include screening and skills assessments, training and certification, software and instructional materials, tuition, books, supplies, and administrative costs. Up to $5,000 of the grant can be allocated for administrative expenses, and applicants are required to provide a 10 percent match of the grant request. Applications will be evaluated based on several criteria, including project need, readiness, impact, sustainability, and the availability of matching funds. A significant consideration is that at least 51 percent of program participants must meet low-to-moderate income requirements, defined as being at or below 80 percent of the average median income for their county. Additional points may be awarded for communities that have not received a CDBG grant in the last five years and for those that secure a portion of their local match from private sources. The deadline for submitting applications for the Youth Job Training program is November 1, 2024. Interested parties can find more information and access the application process through the Kansas Department of Commerce website. For further inquiries, applicants can contact Timothy Parks at the Kansas Department of Commerce via email or phone.