TUITION-FREE SKILLS TRAINING

who are you?

Are you a woman, veteran, or veteran spouse looking to get trained TUITION-FREE for a new career? 

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?

Even if you’re not a woman or a veteran, we offer dozens of programs depending on the county you live in. Please select your county of residence so we can direct you to the programs in your area.

A simple map showing the shapes of Kansas and Missouri in blue, each state labeled in white text—ideal for highlighting locations of Short Term Training programs.

Need a GREAT JOB? We believe in your potential.

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TUITION-FREE SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM

Our Skills Training Program provides adults 17 and over, with access to tuition-free skills training programs in high-paying, high-demand industries.

Foundational Skills Support  →

If you don’t have a high school diploma but still want to prepare for a career, let us know so we can align you with a GED program provider and get you the GED you need to start with these programs. 

Is English not your first language, and do you struggle to read/write/speak English in a professional setting? Let us know so we can help better prepare you for our job training programs by aligning you with an ESL program provider. We don’t want anything to stand in the way of your success.

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 our programs, 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. We collaborate with community partners to support Scholars through emergency situations with:

NOT JUST ONE SUCCESS STORY

Scholar Malcolm was making $15 an hour when he began our CDL program. After completing his training and passing his driving test, he accepted a position making $62,400 a year!


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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