Looking to score a better gig with more money and benefits in Kansas City? Well, just a few short years after KC Scholars launched the Great Jobs KC initiative, the program has connected 555 adults to a good-paying job with benefits. 

Great Jobs KC connects people with the skills and support they need to snag a high-paying job, and it doesn’t cost a dime. Great Jobs KC foots the bill for everything from skills training, job placement assistance, certification, trade school, and ongoing support tailored to individual needs. 

“KC Scholars has always been known as a scholarship program, but we realized that just having a degree doesn’t guarantee access to well-paying jobs,” says Deekay Fox, Senior Communications Director at KC Scholars. “With Great Jobs KC, we’re bridging that gap by offering training and support for high-demand industries where individuals can earn between $45,000 to $85,000 annually.”

To be eligible for the program, you must be 17 years or older, live in one of the six surrounding counties in the KC area, and earn less than $45,000 a year. 

Great Jobs KC targets in-demand sectors like healthcare, information technology, construction, and manufacturing. There are over a hundred learning opportunities that align training opportunities with what area businesses need.

Charice Jackson is just one success story. She went to Great Jobs KC and came out with a new job in program management. 

“I had constant support throughout the entire journey,” says Jackson. “I was able to get a better income, live more comfortably, and have financial freedom.”

Applications for Great Jobs KC are accepted year-round with no set deadlines. The application process is straightforward: Candidates visit the website (greatjobskc.org), and complete an application and a brief survey. Once submitted, a representative from the organization will contact applicants to assess their interests, skills, needs, and goals.

Justin Martin, a Scholar Advocate for Great Jobs KC, says anyone interested in the program should trust their gut and seize the opportunity.

“Understand that this is an opportunity that is here for you,” says Martin. “It’s a free opportunity, you don’t have to come out of pocket, you don’t have to pay the money back.”

Learn more about other career opportunities: 

Jobs in Demand in KC & Wichita That Don’t Require a Four-Year Degree

Can’t Wait Four Years? Here’s Some Alternative Paths to Good Paying Jobs