As a partner in Lumina Foundation’s Community Partnership for Attainment program, the Kansas City region has access to technical assistance from national experts on post-secondary attainment. With support from Lumina, the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) recently completed an analysis of the region’s educational assets. CAEL examined available degree and certificate programs at 42 post-secondary institutions in and near the Kansas City region, focusing on the five key industries that are considered strong drivers of our regional economy:
- Architecture and engineering
- Information technology
- Advanced manufacturing
- Telecommunications and mobile applications
- Finance and insurance
The inventory delves into specific degrees offered within each industry and quantifies the types of credentials available, including short-term certificates, associate, bachelor, and master and doctoral degrees.
CAEL’s initial conclusions noted a high number of post-secondary educational opportunities in the finance and insurance sector; numerous programs in general IT skills, with more at for-profit institutions than at public schools; a lack of opportunity for degrees in cyber security and some specific IT skills; limited program availability in mobile technology; and a lack of entry-level or certificate programs that can serve as an “on-ramp” to careers in architecture and engineering.
GradForce KC and KC Rising’s Human Capital Work Group are currently reviewing and refining the inventory, which will be used in discussions with key employers in each industry to determine whether the region’s current educational assets are adequately meeting industry needs.
GradForce KC includes representatives from area colleges, universities and school districts; K-12 civic intermediaries and accelerated learning programs; the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City; the Mid-America Regional Council; the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce; the Kauffman Foundation; and the Kansas City Area Development Council. GradForce KC and the Human Capital Work Group are working hand in hand to develop short and long term regional strategies to align educational offerings and curriculum with industry needs. For more information, contact Sheri Gonzales Warren, swarren@marc.org.