2025 Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship Small Business Grants
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The Kansas Department of Commerce and Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship (KOA) has realized significant growth in high-wage and high-demand occupations, but there still remains a significant need to engage small businesses essential to the state economic success.
This grant specifically targets small businesses with less than 10 full-time employees, and will provide $7,000 one-time grants to support the registration of New Apprentices in high-wage and high-demand occupations.
*This grant opportunity is contingent on funding provided in the State of Kansas approved budget. The KDC reserves the right to not award funding.
Eligible Participants:
The Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship remains committed to addressing the state’s high-wage, high-demand workforce needs through the continued development and support of Registered Apprenticeship programs.
The Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship and Kansas Apprenticeship Council has a 6-year strategic plan thataligns with the Kansas Framework for Growth and directly meets all four pillars of the framework, specifically “Talent”. The KOA has been strategic in growing Registered Apprenticeship programs in only high-wage and high-demand occupations in each of the target sectors identified for accelerated growth including: advanced manufacturing, aerospace, distribution and transportation, food & agriculture, professional & technical services, healthcare and education.
Small businesses with fewer than 10 employees are the backbone of the Kansas economy, and range from local auto repair shops and HVAC companies to custom harvesting operations. These businesses are not only essential to sustaining daily life across the state, but many are also owned by an aging workforce. Without a clear transition plan, their closure could trigger significant economic decline in their regions. Registered Apprenticeship has emerged as a powerful tool for both workforce development and succession planning, offering a sustainable path to keep these vital businesses operational and rooted in their communities.
This grant is intended to expand the use of Registered Apprenticeship among small businesses and address the misconceptions that have historically limited their participation.
Eligible Entities:
- Have a Kansas-based address and be in good standing with the Kansas Department of Revenue
- Currently employ less than 10 full-time employee's (part-time employees do not count toward the minimum number)
- Occupation to apprentice must be high wage and high demand (starting $15/hr with wage progression and strong current employment and expected job growth)
- Interested in exploring Registered Apprenticeship – and ability to hire or train an employee
Registered Apprenticeship Project Grants Timeline
August 25 - September 25, 2025 – Application open until all funding is awarded.
October 1, 2025 – Earliest Notice of Award
Projects must be completed by September 30, 2026
Use of Funds
An organization may submit one application. The total program budget is up to $105,000, or 15 awards at $7,000 each. Eligible uses include:
- Staff time to explore options, training equipment, related technical instruction, contracted services, and administrative costs.
- This funding cannot be used for apprenticeship wages.
- KDC reserves the right to award all or parts of the request based on funding limitations.
Disbursement Method: Reimbursement
Apprenticeship Grant funds will be administered through an MOU process. Quarterly Narrative and Fiscal reports will be required by all awardees.
Additional information on previous awards for how this is done can be found here: https://ksapprenticeship.org/resource-page/kansas-office-of-apprenticeship-state-grants/