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Kansas community and technical colleges report growth in apprenticeships, nursing outcomes and industry partnerships
Summary
Presidents and leaders from Kansas community and technical colleges reported new apprenticeships, strong nursing pass rates and expanded employer partnerships during the April 24 TEA meeting, highlighting signing‑day turnout and local industry collaborations.
Leaders from multiple Kansas community and technical colleges updated the Technical Education Authority on April 24 about local programs, employer partnerships and student outcomes.
Seth Carter, president of Colby Community College, summarized activities across institutions focused on the Board of Regents' strategic pillar for business talent pipelines and innovation. He said colleges had created apprenticeships for certified nurse assistant and early childhood education, expanded machining and manufacturing programs and used competency‑based approaches in partnership with local employers.
Highlights from reports included: - Barton Community College held a career fair attended by more than 650 students in grades eight through twelve and emphasized health programs and workforce seminars. - Butler Community College reported 255 nursing students enrolled and a 2024 NCLEX pass rate of 97.6 percent. - Cloud County Community College ran a battery‑storage course and engaged math and science faculty under a Perkins grant; its renewable energy chair met Evergy on a workforce pipeline discussion. - Coffeyville Community College reported it offers 15 of the 26 programs on KBOR’s high‑demand list, recorded 100 percent NCLEX pass rates for practical and ADN programs and reported 100 percent placement; the CCC Foundation is funding Excel and CTE student fees for FY 2025 to remove that participation barrier. - Cowley College reported new customized radiation training for Textron and an apprenticeship with the city of Winfield that enrolled 12 students in fire science and EMS.
Jim Gennett, president of Manhattan (technical college), said tuition and fees will be held flat through the next year and that employer interest and tuition‑assistance offerings were increasing. He also highlighted a Carnegie classification recognition that included two‑year colleges in the state as "opportunity colleges" for student access and success.
Why it matters: TEA members said the combination of high signing‑day turnout, employer‑led apprenticeships and examples of foundations covering student fees are practical steps to increase CTE participation and address regional workforce needs.
Ending: Members thanked campus leaders and noted press releases were likely as institutions share their accomplishments.
