KANSAS CITY, MO — Great Jobs KC is proud to announce it has been selected as a recipient of the Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. This two-year, $680,000 award will help bridge the gender gap in high-demand, high-wage industries across the Kansas City region.
While women make up nearly half of the overall workforce, they remain significantly underrepresented in technical and industrial sectors. This grant allows Great Jobs KC to provide 100 women with the specialized training and soft skills necessary to thrive in careers such as advanced manufacturing, construction, and commercial truck driving (CDL).
“This grant is a game-changer for women in our community who are ready to break into industries where they have historically been underrepresented,” said Karolyn Dreiling, Associate Vice President of Development at Great Jobs KC. “By providing tuition-free training and holistic support, we aren’t just filling jobs—we are creating pathways to financial independence and life-changing careers that pay $45,000 or more.”
Our plan to strengthen the workforce for women in non-traditional careers is built on three pillars to ensure long-term success for both participants and regional employers:
The project aims for a high impact, with a goal of 80% of participants completing their training and securing employment in jobs paying at least $45,000 annually with benefits. This initiative aligns with Great Jobs KC’s broader mission to move 50,000 Kansas Citians into family-sustaining careers by 2032. By focusing on nontraditional occupations, the organization ensures the region’s economic growth is inclusive and accessible to all.
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.
The Kauffman Foundation’s generous grant helps Great Jobs KC get closer to its $100M goal, supporting 50,000 Kansas City residents with job training and education.
The Kauffman Foundation’s generous grant helps Great Jobs KC get closer to its $100M goal, supporting 50,000 Kansas City residents with job training and education.
Great Jobs KC Northwest Missouri State University and the University of Saint Mary partner with
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.
Program offers:
Eligibility Requirements:
If you need more information on program details, please find our FAQs HERE
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.
