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Training Programs

Utility Incentives

Venture Capital

Tax & Incentive Profile

Training Programs

INFORMATION FOR BOTH KANSAS AND MISSOURI IS PRESENTED BELOW.

Kansas

The state of Kansas helps fund the training needs of Kansas businesses through three major workforce training programs:

• Investments in Major Projects and Comprehensive Training (IMPACT)
• Kansas Industrial Training (KIT)
• Kansas Industrial Retraining (KIR)

Companies new to Kansas, or existing businesses that are expanding or restructuring, which are defined as Kansas “Basic Enterprises” are eligible for Kansas workforce training programs. “Basic Enterprises” include businesses that are involved in manufacturing, multi-state wholesale distribution, regional or national service, agriculture, mining, research and development, interstate transportation and tourism activities aimed primarily at attracting out-of-state tourists.

"Non-basic Industries" are eligible (under KIT and KIR programs) only if some compelling economic benefit to the state can be shown and/or if the project has an impact on occupations involved in businesses that play a supporting role in economic development efforts.

Programs are custom designed to meet a company’s specific training needs and are characterized by maximum flexibility and minimal “red tape.” Examples of covered expenses for all three programs include:

• Instructor salaries;
• Curriculum planning and development;
• Travel expenses;
• Training manuals, textbooks and instructional videotapes; or
• Supplies, materials and minor equipment.

Instructors may come from the company’s supervisory staff, community colleges, area technical schools, consultants, vendors, or other sources. If desired, assistance in locating qualified instructors is available.

Training may take place at state universities, area technical schools, community colleges, temporary rental facilities or at the company’s facility.

Investments in Major Projects & Comprehensive Training

The Investments in Major Projects and Comprehensive Training Program (IMPACT) program is designed to respond to the training and capital requirements of major business expansions and locations in the state. IMPACT may be utilized by individual businesses or consortiums of companies adding new jobs. The program is typically reserved for those projects involving at least 100 new jobs at a higher-than-average wage level. Projects with less than 100 new jobs may be funded, but most involve wage levels significantly higher than average. Under certain circumstances, IMPACT can also be used to retrain existing employees.

IMPACT has two major components— State of Kansas Investments in Lifelong Learning (SKILL) and Major Project Investment (MPI).

SKILL funds workforce training expenses including:

• Instructor salaries;
• Curriculum planning and development;
• Travel expenses;
• Material and supplies;
• Training aids;
• Training facilities;
• Equipment for the local educational facility involved in the project
  (up to 50%); or
• School administrative expenses (no more than 10%).
• Wages for new or retained employees during education or retraining
  (up to six months)

The IMPACT program’s MPI component allows some financing of labor recruitment and private capital costs and other expenses associated with a project’s new jobs. See the “Financing Programs” section of this publication for detailed information on IMPACT’s MPI program.

IMPACT projects must be developed in conjunction with a Kansas post-secondary education institution, which serves as the project administrator. The final project proposal is presented to the Governor’s Council on Workforce Training and Investment for approval. To be eligible for the MPI component, the employer must spend more than two percent of payroll on workforce training or utilize funds from SKILL for employee education and training.

Kansas Industrial Training Program

The Kansas Industrial Training Program (KIT) is a flexible workforce training program designed to respond to the specific needs of new and expanding companies. Eligible industries include "basic industries" that are creating at least one new job with an average wage of $11.00 per hour in Douglas, Johnson, Leavenworth, Shawnee, and Wyandotte counties, and at least $9.50 per hour in Atchison, Franklin and Miami counties.

The KIT program may be used for pre-employment training, classroom training, on-the-job training, or a combination of both. The company retains complete control over hiring specifications and final trainee selection. However, if desired, the Kansas Department of Human Resources and its partners at Workforce Development Centers, may assist in screening potential trainees. The maximum amount of assistance available under the program is $2,000 per trainee.

Companies apply for KIT by submitting a training proposal to the Kansas Department of Commerce. Companies notify the Department of their intention to apply for KIT funding prior to the development of a training proposal or the commencement of hiring positions included in the proposal. State training consultants can provide free assistance in developing this proposal.

Kansas Industrial Retraining Program

The Kansas Industrial Retraining Program (KIR) is a job retention tool that assists employees of restructuring industries who are likely to be displaced because of obsolete or inadequate job skills and knowledge. The maximum amount of assistance available under this program is $2,000 per trainee.

KIR is eligible for companies restructuring due to the incorporation of new or existing technology, product diversification, and/or new product activities. Companies must be training at least one existing employee with an average wage of $11.00 per hour in Douglas, Johnson, Leavenworth, Shawnee and Wyandotte counties, and at least $9.50 per hour in Atchison, Franklin and Miami counties.

Funding is available on a competitive basis and requires a dollar-for-dollar match by the company. Companies apply for KIR by submitting a training proposal to the Kansas Department of Commerce. Companies notify the Department of the firm’s intention to apply for KIR funding prior to the development of a training proposal or the commencement of training positions included in the proposal. State training consultants can provide free assistance in developing this proposal.

Missouri

Missouri New Jobs Training Program

The New Jobs Training Program (NJTP) provides education and training to workers employed in newly created jobs in Missouri. The new jobs may result from a new industry locating in Missouri or an existing industry expanding its workforce in the state. NJTP is administered through Missouri’s community college districts in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Economic Development through the Division of Workforce Development. In greater Kansas City, NJTP services are provided by the Metropolitan Community Colleges system.

The program provides assistance in reducing the cost associated with expanding a workforce or locating a new facility through these training services:

• Customized training designed for the specific needs of the industry;
• Adult basic education; or
• Occupational skill training.

Training assistance can include skill assessment, orientation, pre-employment training, training facilities and equipment, instructor salaries, curriculum design, and training materials.

Eligible businesses include manufacturing, processing, and assembling firms, as well as companies that conduct research and development, or that provide services in interstate commerce. Retail businesses do not qualify for the program.

Funds to pay for the training are provided through certificates that are repaid using a portion of the new employees’ state withholding tax for a period of up to 10 years. The certificates are sold through the local community college district. The tax withholding is equal to 2.5% of gross wages for the first 100 new jobs, and 1.5% for the remaining new jobs. To repay the training and certificate costs, the tax withholding may be claimed for eight to 10 years depending on the size of the project.

Missouri Customized Training Program

The Missouri Customized Training Program (MCTP) helps Missouri employers with funding to offset the costs of training and retraining new and existing employees. The program can assist new and expanding employers with training workers in newly created jobs and help retrain existing employees to upgrade skills.

The Department of Economic Development, through the Division of Workforce Development, operates the program in coordination with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Examples of expenses which might be covered under this program are:

• Curriculum development;
• Instructor salaries;
• Instructional supplies;
• Vendor trainers; or
• Pre-employment training.

Programs are customized to meet the specific needs of the company:

• Classroom training can take place at the company work site, at local educational agencies or a combination of the two. Instructors may be provided through the local educational agency, vendors or the company may use their own internal trainers.
• Employers may request training assistance as often as needed. There is no limit to the number of times an employer can receive training assistance as long as the company remains eligible.

Eligible companies are those providing permanent, full-time employment to Missouri residents, paying high competitive wages and creating new jobs above their peak employment level in the past year or retraining existing employees as a result of a substantial new capital investment.

Applications should be submitted 30 days prior to the start of training or hiring. Some occupations and industries may not be eligible for this program and minimum wage rates apply.

Missouri Job Retention Training Program

The Job Retention Training Program (JRTP) provides education and retraining assistance for existing jobs to eligible employers who have retained a minimum of 100 employees for at least two consecutive calendar years and made a capital investment of at least $1 million. JRTP is administered through Missouri's community college districts in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Economic Development through the Division of Workforce Development. In greater Kansas City, JRTP services are provided by the Metropolitan Community Colleges system.

The program provides assistance in reducing the cost associated with retraining a workforce in the state of Missouri through training services:

• Training customized to the specific needs of the industry;
• General occupational skill training.

Training assistance can include skill assessments, pre-employment training, facilities and equipment, instructor costs, curriculum development, travel and a variety of other training related services.

Eligible businesses include manufacturing, processing, and assembling firms, as well as companies that conduct research and development, or that provide services in interstate or intrastate commerce. Retail businesses do not qualify for the program. Eligible businesses must have retained a minimum of 100 employees for two consecutive calendar years preceding the year in which the application for the program was made. In addition, the business must:

• Make a capital investment of at least $1 million.
• Have substantial investment in new technology;
• Be located on a border state and present risk of relocating from Missouri; or,
• Represent a substantial risk of relocation.

Other eligibility criteria may apply, such as types of jobs, type of industry and wage rates.

Funds to pay for the training are provided through certificates that are repaid using a portion of the employees' state withholding tax for a period of up to 10 years. The certificates are sold through the local community college district. The tax withholding is equal to 2.5% of gross wages for the first 100 jobs, and 1.5% for the remaining jobs in the project. To repay the training and certificate costs, the tax withholding may be claimed for eight to 10 years depending on the size of the project. Generally, participating businesses purchase the certificates.

 

DEFINING THE GREATER KC METRO AREA

Kansas City is a Missouri/Kansas bi-state metropolitan area. All statistical references made to Kansas City Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) include the counties of Cass, Clay, Clinton, Jackson, Lafayette, Platte and Ray in Missouri, and Johnson, Leavenworth, Miami and Wyandotte counties in Kansas. The greater Kansas City area also includes the adjoining Lawrence, KS, St. Joseph, MO, and Topeka, KS MSAs, as well as the Atchison, KS, Chillicothe, MO, Ottawa, KS, and Warrensburg, MO areas.