COMPOSITES KANSAS
South Central Kansas is one of 39 Workforce Innovations in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) regions through the Third Generation of WIRED funded by the United States Department of Labor.
In 2007, the region received $5 million (to be spent over three years) to support high skilled and high wage careers in South Central Kansas. WIRED is part of a national strategy to enhance transformation and innovation in regional economies through integration of education, workforce and economic development systems.
The goal of the South Central Kansas WIRED Initiative (SCKWI) is to accelerate economic growth and transformation by fostering innovation and talent development critical to the aircraft industry and other technology driven employers in the region. Focus will be placed on increasing the competency of workforce and expanding education and training in science, technology, engineering and math. Resources from the SCKWI will support the emerging composite and advanced materials industry as the use of composites dramatically accelerates in the aviation industry, and encourage migration of a new generation of composite technology to other commercial applications in the region.
To maintain a competitive advantage and further develop composite expertise in South Central Kansas, it is critical that the region expand workforce training from students to entry level workers and experienced engineers. In developing a premier workforce of skilled composite and advanced materials technicians who can serve a variety of industries, South Central Kansas can diversify the regional economy while strengthening its manufacturing base and providing for future growth and stability.
The SCKWI Region covers 10 counties in South Central Kansas encompassing the regional labor market: Butler, Cowley, Harper, Harvey, Kingman, Marion, McPherson, Reno, Sedgwick, Sumner. The initiative will be collaboratively administered by the Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas, the Western Kansas Workforce Board and the Kansas Department of Commerce. Key areas to be addressed and the partners identified in the SCKWI application include the following.
Education and Training
New Technology, Products and Business
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WSU, National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR)
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WSU, Center for Entrepreneurship
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WSU, Small Business Development Center
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Via Christi Health Systems, Orthopedic Research Center
Regional Economic Growth
This initiative formally kicked off December 7th, 2007 with a visit from Governor Kathleen Sebelius and Assistant Secretary of the Department of Labor Emily DeRocco.
Important Links:
WIRED Documents at Center for Economic Development and Business Research
Department of Labor WIRED
WIRED Regions
Implementation Plan
Grant Application