The Missouri Chamber Foundation will launch a youth apprenticeship program to strengthen Kansas City’s manufacturing workforce pipeline, thanks to a Capacity Building grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
The $250,000 grant will support efforts to pilot and expand youth apprenticeships in the Kansas City region, addressing critical workforce shortages while advancing economic mobility. The project will engage employers, high schools and students to build sustainable pathways to paid work experience, credentials and family-sustaining careers.
“We are grateful for this investment, which will expand youth apprenticeships in manufacturing and support the region’s future workforce,” said Karen Buschmann, executive director of the Missouri Chamber Foundation. “By connecting students, schools and employers, we’re creating clear, sustainable pathways to paid work experiences, credentials and strong careers—helping young people thrive while meeting the needs of Kansas City’s growing manufacturing sector. At a time when our region faces critical workforce shortages, this support will help ensure that more students can step confidently into the opportunities of the future.”
Manufacturing is a critical piece of the Missouri economy, contributing $50 billion annually to the state’s gross domestic product and employing 287,000 people. However, according to Missouri Chamber Foundation research, expanding the workforce pipeline is essential to improving the state’s overall manufacturing competitiveness.
Capacity Building grants are designed to strengthen organizations’ long-term effectiveness by supporting leadership, technology, evaluation, strategic planning and other core functions.
“Investing in the capacity of organizations is powerful because strengthening their people, processes, and structures also strengthens the communities they serve,” said Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, president and CEO of the Kauffman Foundation. “Building organizational capacity isn’t just about growth. It’s about ensuring these organizations have the foundation and resilience to carry their missions forward.”
This new investment builds on the more than $10 million the Missouri Chamber Foundation has already dedicated to preparing apprentices for careers in high-demand fields. To date, the Missouri Chamber Foundation has helped employers train more than 5,000 apprentices in IT and health care.
