MWI Awarded $1.2 Million Grant from Kauffman Foundation to Expand Apprenticeship-Ready Manufacturing Program to Kansas City

The Missouri Works Initiative (MWI) today announced it has been awarded a $1.2 million, four-year grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation to expand its proven apprenticeship-ready manufacturing program into the Kansas City region.

This investment will allow MWI to strengthen and grow the pipeline of skilled workers entering the manufacturing sector while partnering with labor organizations and employers to develop and expand registered apprenticeship opportunities.

The apprenticeship-ready manufacturing program equips participants with the foundational skills, certifications, and hands-on experience needed to succeed in high-demand manufacturing careers. By bringing this program to Kansas City, MWI aims to connect more workers to family-sustaining careers while helping employers address critical workforce shortages.

“Expanding into Kansas City is a major step forward in our mission to create clear pathways into the middle class through manufacturing careers,” said MWI Executive Director Megan Price. “Thanks to the Kauffman Foundation’s investment, we can prepare more individuals for careers in manufacturing while working alongside our labor partners to build strong, sustainable apprenticeship programs that benefit workers, employers, and entire communities.”

Through this grant, MWI will collaborate with labor partners, training providers, and regional employers to align workforce training with industry needs, ensuring participants are job-ready and positioned for long-term success.

The four-year initiative will focus on outreach, training, and apprenticeship development, with a commitment to expanding access to high-quality career opportunities across the Kansas City area.

For more information about the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, please visit https://www.kauffman.org/