Kansas educators are looking for ways to respond to a decline in the statewide workforce. Students are seeking education that will help them function in the professional world, and employers are asking for more career-relevant curricula.

The problem is growing. Each year, more and more baby boomers retire, which depletes the workforce. In fact, the number of U.S. workers age 55-64 will grow 51 percent to 25 million in the next seven years—making the fastest-growing sector of the workforce closer to retirement. Meanwhile, countless young people leave the state to pursue careers elsewhere. The number of workers between age 35-44 will shrink by 7 percent in the next seven years.

For students and adults remaining in the Kansas workforce, there is a disconnect between career openings, educational preparation, and potential employment. Many students are trying to decipher what type of work they would enjoy or what type of education they should be getting. Educators are searching for curricula that is in sync with employers. Students and adult job seekers need more specific tools to navigate educational and placement resources that could help them find meaningful careers.

A call to educators

Employers look to educators to create educational strategies that are more relevant to workforce needs. With a more intense focus on correcting the workforce crisis, educators, schools, and training programs can provide the skills necessary to bridge the gap between the workforce and potential employment. This may include such initiatives as:

• Developing new courses specific to industries and trades, with up-to-date curriculum and technology

• Making it easier to earn a degree with family and job demands by offering night and weekend classes and open-entry, open-exit classes that allow students to finish courses early if needed.

• Allowing high school students to take classes that train them for work in specific fields.

• Offering baccalaureate degrees by community colleges in very specific, applied technical fields.

The search for working solutions

The Kansas Career Pipeline is helping educators prepare students and adult job seekers for actual career openings with real-world companies. The Pipeline drills down into the state’s educational system as early as middle school, opening doors between students and employers—and facilitating training pathways that will connect them. The Pipeline taps into the state’s existing workforce development systems to identify suitable job candidates for specific career openings, connecting interests and skills with educational programs and career opportunities. And the Pipeline is facilitating an open communication that’s already begun between the business and educational sectors. For the first time in our state’s history, the business community can provide guidance to educators, ensuring a pipeline of future employees who are ready, willing, and able to work.

Visit the Kansas Career Pipeline to learn more about preparing your students for careers.