Community and technical college leaders told the Technical Education Authority on May 29 that their campuses continue to expand employer partnerships, add facilities and pilot new credential pathways to meet local workforce needs.

The session included reports from Seth Carter, president of Colby Community College, and Jim Jannett, representing Manhattan Area Technical College, and presentations from students and staff at the Topeka Career and Academic Learning Center (TCALC). The colleges described recent and planned projects ranging from on-site machining programs to childcare incubators and new health-care training sites.

The colleges emphasized employer-driven training. Colby Community College has built an agricultural center through donations and grants and reported $24 million of new facilities since 2020 without using local property tax dollars. Allen Community College described an on-site machining and manufacturing program with B & W Trailer & Hitch in Humboldt that will offer real-time experience to students and upskilling for incumbent employees. Butler Community College reported customized training for incumbent workers and new apprenticeship pathways that include arrangements for students to earn an associate of applied science during extended apprenticeships. Carter said some colleges are partnering with regional apprenticeship councils to convert multi‑thousand‑hour apprenticeships into college credentials.

Several colleges highlighted investments to reduce student costs and expand access. Butler officials said open educational resources have saved students about $2.6 million in textbook costs. Cloud County Community College opened a technical education innovation center after $13 million in capital investments with business and donor partners. Wichita Tech reported its largest graduating class in its 60‑year history, with more than 1,200 students receiving associate degrees or technical certificates.

Manhattan Tech described a childcare incubator project funded through a Greater Manhattan Community Foundation model with state and federal grants. The facility, set to open in the fall, will house eight rentable childcare “pods,” operate with district licensing, and include on‑site curriculum and workforce support. Jim Jannett said the site will include one day per week of a free medical clinic and has already lined up high school students for fall coursework.

Colleges also linked curricula to local employer needs. Fort Scott Community College cited a 93.33% first‑time pass rate on the NCLEX for nursing graduates and a new articulation agreement with Kansas City University. Garden City Community College launched the state’s first community health worker certification to prepare workers to connect patients with local providers. Dodge City Community College described new labs and pads for automotive, industrial maintenance and CDL programs; graduates are employed by more than 50 businesses in Southwest Kansas.

Students from TCALC described hands‑on experiences and pathways into teaching, web and digital communications, and health care. Laura Nichols, TCALC administrator, described next‑year expansions including patient care technician training with dual phlebotomy certification, an automation/manufacturing track supported with Perkins Reserve grant equipment, and a registered apprenticeship that will let juniors complete 60 college credits and an associate degree while apprenticing in the district.

College leaders and students stressed employer partnerships and alignment with local hiring needs. Carter said many community colleges are working directly with employers before companies contact economic development offices, and that graduates often stay in the college’s service area. Jannett added that colleges now frequently lead workforce conversations and that projects like the childcare incubator represent cross‑sector collaboration.

Smaller details noted during the reports: several colleges cited strong placement rates for graduates into local jobs, and multiple campuses reported expanded simulation centers, donated equipment or targeted capital investments supported by private donors. No formal policy changes or statewide funding decisions were made during the presentations.

The TEA members thanked presenters and students and moved on to budget and appropriation items later in the meeting.