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Great Jobs KC

KANSAS CITY, MO — Great Jobs KC is proud to announce a transformative three-year, $3,845,500 grant from the Patterson Family Foundation. This generous investment will allow Great Jobs KC to expand its proven tuition-free skills training and support model beyond the Kansas City metropolitan area and into Ford County, Kansas, and Nodaway County, Missouri as Great Jobs.

The expansion marks a major milestone in Great Jobs KC’s mission to help 50,000 residents secure family-sustaining careers by 2032. By moving into these rural regions, the organization will provide adults with access to high-demand technical training in fields such as healthcare, manufacturing, construction, and CDL; industries that are vital to the economic health of rural communities.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Patterson Family Foundation for their belief in our mission and their commitment to rural prosperity,” said Earl Martin Phalen, CEO of Great Jobs KC. “A great job shouldn’t depend on your zip code. This funding allows us to bring life-changing training and wraparound support services to hardworking individuals in Ford and Nodaway counties, helping them build better futures for their families and their local economies.”

The Patterson Family Foundation is dedicated to helping rural communities thrive by supporting education, healthcare, and economic opportunity. This partnership leverages Great Jobs KC’s expertise in removing barriers to employment—such as tuition costs, transportation, and childcare—to meet the specific labor needs of Western Kansas and Northwest Missouri.

The Great Jobs expansion program will provide:

  • Tuition-Free Certification: Rapid training programs in high-growth industries.
  • Dedicated Scholar Advocates: Personalized coaching to help participants navigate training and the job search process.
  • Supportive Services: Access to assistance for “barrier-removal” needs like tools, uniforms, and transportation.
  • Employer Connections: Direct pipelines to local businesses in Dodge City (Ford County) and Maryville (Nodaway County).

Maria Flynn, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Patterson Family Foundation, shared her thoughts on the Foundation’s support for this expanded workforce program. “The Patterson Family Foundation is excited to fund Great Jobs KC as part of their work in bringing new workforce solutions to rural communities. We know that thriving rural communities are comprised of diversified industries and employment opportunities, and the work that Great Jobs is doing will bring new workforce skills to residents living in rural Kansas and western Missouri. The Foundation looks forward to seeing the impact of Great Jobs’ work in rural communities as we work together to help rural communities thrive.” 

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Great Jobs KC, a 501(c)(3) organization, drives regional economic stability and mobility by ensuring low- and modest-income individuals achieve family-sustaining careers. Our programs prepare the future workforce through two core pathways: college scholarships (up to $50,000) and tuition-free training in high-demand fields. We ensure success by providing one-to-one support for every participant, from enrollment through their first year of employment. greatjobskc.org

 

The Patterson Family Foundation, based in Kansas City, Missouri, is a private family foundation that extends the legacy of Neal and Jeanne Patterson. The Foundation’s mission, “Working together to help rural communities thrive,” is carried forward through strategic grantmaking and other collaborative initiatives that serve rural counties of fewer than 50,000 residents across Kansas and western Missouri. For more information, visit pattersonfamilyfoundation.org

As the demand for skilled technical workers grows, this initiative aims to demystify these modern industries through hands-on, exploratory learning. Participants will not only gain technical proficiency but will also be paid to learn, receiving up to a $6,000 stipend for their participation in this intensive 8-week summer program.

“Today’s manufacturing and construction sectors revolve around robotics and digital design,” said Karolyn Dreiling, Associate Vice President of Development at Great Jobs KC. “Thanks to the National Science Foundation, Kansas City students can now access hands-on training and a direct route to advanced certifications in these high-demand industries. We are empowering them to gain technical mastery and high-wage stability through a program that prioritizes both real-world experience and continuous professional growth.”

The program is designed as a deep dive into the technologies shaping the future of the built world. Participants will take part in extensive 4-week on-campus courses at UMKC as well as on-site job visits, designed to receive certification in:

  • Solidworks Design Associate CSWA certification (32 hours), including CAD drawing.
  • Universal Robotics Core Training (16 hours).
  • OSHA 10 safety certification (10 hours).

Students will experience employer exposure to learn how these skills are applied in real-world employment applications.

The program is unique in its approach. Upon completion of the four-week on-campus learning, participants are not locked into a single track. Instead, Great Jobs KC staff will provide personalized coaching to help graduates transition into:

  • Employment: Connecting participants with partner employers looking for entry-level tech talent.
  • Advanced Apprenticeships: Transitioning into paid, long-term training programs.
  • Further job training through Great Jobs KC vetted training providers, providing skilled training in their area of interest.

While the program is open to adults looking to pivot careers, its major focus is recruiting current high school seniors who are due to graduate. This hybrid style experience allows students to earn money while exploring a career path before making a long-term commitment to work or school.

Great Jobs KC (www.greatjobskc.org) is a 501(c)(3) organization designed to transform the region by preparing the future workforce and securing family-sustaining careers for low- and modest-income individuals. Great Jobs KC does this through college scholarships (up to $50,000) and tuition-free job training in high-demand fields like construction and healthcare. All Scholars in their programs receive support through training and into their first year of employment.

Founded in 1865, Ottaway University prepares professional and liberal arts graduates for lifetimes of personal significance, vocational fulfillment, and service to God and humanity as a Christ-inspired community of grace and open inquiry. Ottaway University is a comprehensive, not-for-profit educational institution, serving more than 4,500 students through its residential campuses in Ottaway, Kansas, and Surprise, Arizona, and adult campuses in Overland Park, Kansas; Surprise, Arizona; Brookfield, Wisconsin; and online. Visit Ottawa.edu for more information.

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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

The Adult Learner Scholarship application is closed. Please click GET STARTED to be added to communication reminders on when to apply during the next open cycle.

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

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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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