Turning Alignment into Action
Workforce alignment is often discussed—but in Greater Kansas City, regional leaders are putting it into practice. With support from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Talent Pipeline Management® (TPM) Community Implementation Grant, the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City is accelerating employer-led strategies that connect residents to good jobs, fill critical roles, and strengthen coordination across the workforce system.
A Regional Backbone for Workforce Strategy
The Civic Council of Greater Kansas City serves as a regional backbone for TPM implementation. Through initiatives like KC Rising and the Investment Playbook for economic development, the organization convenes senior leaders across business, education, workforce, philanthropy, and community-based organizations.
Together, these partners are working to shift the region from fragmented workforce efforts to a more coordinated approach grounded in employer demand and measurable outcomes.
A Strong Economy Facing Talent Gaps
This work comes at a critical time for the 14-county Kansas City metro area, which spans Missouri and Kansas and includes approximately 2.26 million residents. While the region benefits from a strong economy and low unemployment, employers continue to face persistent talent shortages in key industries.
KC Rising’s TPM efforts are focused on four priority sectors:
- Construction and skilled trades
- Engineering and energy
- Healthcare
- Advanced manufacturing and biomanufacturing
These industries are central to the region’s economic growth and competitiveness, yet employers report ongoing difficulty filling roles ranging from nurses and medical assistants to machinists, engineers, and skilled trades workers.
Building on What Already Works
Rather than launching a new standalone program, the Civic Council is using the implementation grant to strengthen and expand existing employer collaboratives. This approach allows the region to build on established partnerships while improving coordination and impact.
Through this work, employers are validating hiring forecasts, identifying priority roles, and defining shared skills and credential requirements. That demand signal is then communicated clearly to education and workforce partners.
In response, training providers—including community colleges, workforce boards, apprenticeship programs, and community-based organizations—can better align curricula, expand work-based learning, and create more transparent career pathways.
Expanding Access to Good Jobs
A central focus of the initiative is expanding access to good jobs that offer strong wages, benefits, and advancement opportunities—without requiring a four-year degree at entry.
By aligning training with real employer demand, the Civic Council and its partners are helping more residents connect to in-demand careers while creating clearer pathways for advancement.
Driving Measurable Results
Over the 22-month grant period, the Civic Council aims to:
- Support 1,000 to 1,200 job placements
- Help 1,500 to 1,800 workers complete upskilling or reskilling opportunities
- Engage 30 to 40 employers across sector collaboratives
The initiative will also track key outcomes such as credential attainment, retention, wage progression, employer satisfaction, and reduced time-to-fill for priority roles.
Building a More Connected Workforce System
For the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City, TPM is more than a planning tool—it’s a framework for building a more connected, effective workforce system.
“This grant helps Kansas City turn workforce alignment into action,” said Lia McIntosh, director of KC Rising. “We are using TPM to connect employer demand with education, training, and community partners so more people can access good jobs—and employers can access the skilled talent they need.”
Floyd May III, president of the Civic Council, added, “Workforce is one of the most important competitiveness issues facing our region. This effort strengthens our ability to align business leadership, education, and workforce partners around the talent needs that matter most for future growth.”
By bringing together employers and partners around shared goals and clear data, Kansas City is building a model for turning regional collaboration into real workforce outcomes.
About the author
