Ford County Skills Training

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

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TUITION-FREE SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM

Students enrolled in the State of Kansas Excel in CTE program (formerly referred to as SB 155) are granted free tuition for dual enrollment courses at Dodge City Community College. Great Jobs has partnered with Dodge City Community College and Dodge City Public Schools to provide additional training support for Dodge City High School Seniors for non-tuition costs, such as books, special fees, exam fees, PPE, and other supplies, making participation in the dual enrollment program little to no cost to students and families.
 

COMING SOON:

Our skills training programs will soon be available to all adults 17+ residing in Ford County.  Those who qualify will have access to tuition-free skills training programs in high-paying, high-demand industries. Please check back for program updates. Feel free to reach out to ford.county@greatjobskc.org for more information. 

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:

Our programs are in partnership with

Dodge City Public Schools logo featuring interlocking red and white letters "DC" on a blue background, surrounded by a beige ring with the district's name—representing education in Ford County.
Dodge City Community College logo featuring a purple and gold shield with a stylized road, sun, and wheat, highlighting its proud connection to Ford County, with the college name beneath.

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

Programs listed below are only available in Ford County, KS.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Dodge City school Career & Technical Education (CTE) Program

Great Jobs is a workforce nonprofit that helps people in the community get family-sustaining careers by funding skills training, soft-skills workshops, and one-to-one support, enabling them to overcome obstacles and access job opportunities.

Ready to GET STARTED?

No. This is not a loan; if your child is accepted into the program, Great Jobs will provide funding for all non-tuition-related costs. For example: book fees, program-specific fees, uniforms, toolkits, PPE, etc.

Ready to GET STARTED?

The student must be enrolled in Dodge City High School and Dodge City Community College Excel in the CTE dual enrollment program, and complete the application process for the Great Jobs Program.

Ready to GET STARTED?

Funding is managed directly between Great Jobs and Dodge City Community College.

Are you ready to GET STARTED?

Training will take place at Dodge City High School and Dodge City Community College.

Ready to GET STARTED?

Yes. Their school attendance will remain the same, and their training schedule will be provided by the school administration.

Ready to GET STARTED?

The Excel in CTE dual enrollment course list is provided by Dodge City High School and Dodge City Community College. Great Jobs partners with the programs and classes already in place.

Ready to GET STARTED?

Yes. College credit may be awarded through the articulation agreement between the high school and community college.

Ready to GET STARTED?

Absolutely! We don’t just fund the training, we support the Scholar. We provide a Career Resources Manager to assist with resume building, interview prep, and finding job opportunities.

Are you ready to GET STARTED?

Yes. Choosing a CTE pathway helps students build a valuable, high-demand skill set upon graduation, and it does not prevent them from pursuing a four-year degree later.

CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED

Reach out to GET STARTED.

Frequently Asked Questions about the great jobs skills program for adults in ford county

Our skills training programs will soon be available to all adults 17+ residing in Ford County.  Those who qualify will have access to tuition-free skills training programs in high-paying, high-demand industries. Please check back for program updates. Feel free to reach out to ford.county@greatjobskc.org for more information. 

Adults 17 and older; who meet the income criteria and who live in Ford 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 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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