Nodaway County Skills Training

Logo for the Patterson Family Foundation featuring a windmill, "EST. 2007," "RURAL USA," and the organization’s name in bold text.
Three people are posing and smiling at the camera; two women stand in the back while a man wearing a work shirt sits in front.
Three adults pose together; one man with long dreadlocks in work coveralls, one woman wearing safety glasses and a welding helmet, and one man smiling in a KC sweatshirt.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Patterson Family Foundation starting in April 2026, our skills training program will be available in Nodaway County, Missouri. We are honored to serve even more Scholars across our region.

A woman with certified manufacturing associate certification wears safety glasses, ear protection, gloves, and an apron as she operates a circular saw in a woodworking shop.
A blue shield-shaped badge for Ford County with the words "Great Jobs" in bold white letters, divided between a dark blue upper half and a lighter blue lower half.

TUITION-FREE SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM

The Great Jobs Skills Training Program in Nodaway County, Missouri, provides adults 17 and over looking to create a better future with access to tuition-free skills training programs in high-paying and high-demand industries.

Digital Literacy
 
To ensure you are workforce-ready, every scholar begins with a Digital Literacy Assessment. This tool identifies your technical strengths and customizes a learning plan to prepare you for today’s tech-driven job market. Digital skills are a foundational requirement across all career pathways. Skills include navigating online learning, organizing and submitting digital work, practicing safe and responsible technology use, while gaining the confidence to master new software in hybrid work environments.
 
We provide targeted instruction to help you bridge skill gaps, ensuring you remain in good standing and are prepared for industry-recognized certifications.

 

Scholar Support Resources →

Once enrolled in a Great Jobs Program, our Scholar Support Services Team can work with each Scholar and their Scholar Advocate when life doesn’t go according to plan. We can help identify available resources and make personalized referrals where possible. Great Jobs and community partners collaborate to support Scholars through emergency situations with:

Have questions about the program? See the FAQs below. If you still have questions, please contact us at nodaway.county@greatjobskc.org.

What career paths does Great Jobs offer?

Programs listed below are only available in Nodaway County, Missouri.

Frequently Asked Questions

Adults 17 and older; who meet the income criteria and who live in Nodaway County, Missouri.

Ready to GET STARTED?

Great Jobs can open the door for you in the fields of: Healthcare, Manufacturing, and Construction.

Ready to GET STARTED?

Due to the demand of our program, the length of time to complete the entire program can depend.  If accepted into the program, your assigned Scholar Advocate will work with you to develop an educational plan. 

Ready to GET STARTED?

You must have a High School Diploma or its equivalent to participate in the program. 

Are you ready to GET STARTED?

Our goal at Great Jobs is to get every student who completes our program into a good-paying job. Many employers do require the successful completion of a criminal background check. We want to work with all students who are interested in our program. It’s important to disclose this information during your initial meeting with a Scholar Advocate so they can determine the best program options for you.

Ready to GET STARTED?

It is TUITION-FREE if you qualify.

Ready to GET STARTED?

Every participant comes to us with different levels of experience and education, which are all factored in when determining realistic salary expectations. While we can’t guarantee an exact salary, we aim to assist our graduates with securing household-sustaining jobs with benefits.

Ready to GET STARTED?

Yes. To be eligible for employment, candidates must provide documentation confirming their eligibility to work in the US. A Great Jobs representative will discuss acceptable documentation. If you don’t have documentation, we can provide a list of resources to help you obtain the proper documentation.

Ready to GET STARTED?

All Training Programs are delivered in English.

Are you ready to GET STARTED?

Ready to take the next step towards your future? CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED

Anytime! Most programs have multiple start dates. Please be aware that, due to increase demand for our program, there may be a wait time before you begin training. A Scholar Advocate will guide you through the process, reach out to GET STARTED.

GREAT JOBS SUCCESS STORY

Scholar Brandon was unemployed when he began the Great Jobs Program. After completing his welding technician training and landing a job as a welder, he is now making $25/hour!

A chance to learn. The power to earn.

A group of graduates in caps and gowns celebrating outdoors. Text on the image reads "Over $12 million in scholarships being awarded." These scholarships are paving the way for promising careers.
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Stephanie underwood - Chief financial Officer

Stephanie Underwood serves as Chief Financial Officer at Great Jobs KC, where she leads the organization’s financial strategy in support of its mission to create economic mobility through education and workforce opportunities. With more than 17 years of experience in nonprofit finance, Stephanie brings deep expertise in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and compliance. She is passionate about using her career as a platform to serve and support mission-driven organizations, helping them maximize impact through strong financial stewardship.

Prior to joining Great Jobs KC, Stephanie served as Chief Financial Officer for Griffith Centers, a behavioral and mental health organization, where she oversaw financial operations for a multi-million-dollar organization spanning residential, educational, and community-based programs. She also spent nearly a decade as Vice President of Accounting Services at NFP Partners, providing CFO-level leadership to nonprofit organizations across the country, with a focus on strategic growth, audit readiness, and governance.

Outside of her professional role, Stephanie volunteers her time at her church and serves on the board of a local nonprofit. She is known for her collaborative leadership style and her commitment to aligning financial strategy with mission impact. She holds a Master of Science in Accounting and is proud to be a first-generation college graduate.

 

 

 

Adult Learner College Scholarship

Program offers:

  • Up to $25,000 paid directly to the college over the course of up to six years.
  • Once awarded, the Scholar can enroll full or part-time the fall semester following awarding.
  • Scholarship can be used at any of our college partners. See our current list of partners HERE.
  • Scholarship can be used towards an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or a credit-bearing credential. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

  • Be a high school graduate or GED holder (24 years or older).
  • Live in one of the six eligible counties. (Kansas: Wyandotte, Johnson; Missouri: Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte)
  • Be income eligible. (FASFA Student Aid Index of 12,000 or less)
  • Have not previously earned a bachelor’s degree.
  • Have not previously been awarded a KC Scholars Scholarship (Traditional or Adult Learner).
  • Is not currently enrolled in a Great Jobs KC Skills Training Program.
  • US Citizenship/Residency is not required to apply.

If you need more information on program details, please find our FAQs HERE

Jimmy Swift - Chief Operating Officer

As the Chief Operating Officer, Jimmy Swift is responsible for overseeing our core programs, our adult workforce development program, Great Jobs KC tuition-free job training, and our KC Scholars Scholarship Program, which includes 11th Grade Traditional Scholarships and Adult Learner Scholarships. 

Jimmy has a career in education that spans more than 25 years and is built around supporting and improving the performance of career training programs and leading the operations of degree-granting institutions. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in management and has served as Campus President, Vice President of Career Services, and Executive Director of various career schools.  

Most recently, Jimmy served as the Vice President of PLA University at Phalen Leadership Academies, bringing access to job skill training to the parents and families of the Scholars served by Phalen Leadership schools across the country.  Beyond his higher education experience, Jimmy serves as the Executive Board Chairman for Project Safety Net NY, a nonprofit community-based agency delivering a broad range of health, education, and prevention services to the New York Community. As the Chief Operating Officer for Great Jobs KC, he and his team are poised to make a substantial impact on the economic stability and future of Kansas City.

Great Jobs KC
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