The Chanute Area Chamber of Commerce hosted speakers from Neosho County Community College to discuss NCCC’s registered apprenticeship program during the Chamber Connections Luncheon that took place on Tuesday, June 10.
“We work really hard to enrich our students’ lives,” Director of Outreach Jennifer Sprague said.
According to Sprague, and Career and Technical Education Pathways Coordinator Nicci Wiltse, the college offers nearly two dozen career and technical pathways, most of which can be taken from the Chanute campus. The program is also hosted at the Mitchell Career and Technology Center in Chanute, as well as in La Harpe, Ottawa, and Garnett, according to Wiltse.
NCCC’s program is part of a statewide initiative to promote strengthening the workforce through apprenticeships.
Sprague said the Kansas Registered Apprenticeship Program allows employers to provide employees with tailored on-the-job training and skill-based education. Sprague said the program is locally created, flexible, and offers accredited training and education to apprentices.
The benefits of apprenticeships beyond building a skilled workforce include improved employee retention, Sprague said. She said that when employees are apprentices within a company, they tend to stay longer with that company. According to Sprague, having better training makes employees more confident in their duties, and increases productivity.
The highly customizable training allows businesses to prioritize their needs and having employees stay with the company long-term also reduces recruitment costs, Sprague said.
Apprenticeships typically last for two years, with each year including 2,000 hours of instruction.
According to data on apprenticeships throughout the state, the number of apprenticeship programs has increased in recent years.
Between 2022 and 2023, there was a 22% increase in active apprenticeship programs in Kansas. Sprague said that the number of individuals participating nearly doubled from 2023 to 2024.
In 2022, there were 1,903 enrolled in Kansas apprenticeship programs, which increased to 2,474 in 2023. In 2024, 4,479 individuals were participating in such programs.
If businesses are interested in utilizing this program, Sprauge said businesses would first identify their needs, and then schedule a consultation.
“NCCC will work with you to develop a program to fit your needs,” Sprague said.
Once the program is launched, NCCC ensures that the apprenticeships meet compliance and reporting standards, and the business will offer on-the-job training during the apprenticeship.
“We can do an apprenticeship for just about anything,” Wiltse said. “And these are programs that the community has asked for,” To learn more about these programs, contact Neosho County Community College Outreach by emailing outreach@ neosho.edu.
The next Chamber Connection luncheon will be Tuesday, Sept. 9, at noon at the NCCC Board Room in the Student Union at Neosho County Community College.
