Talent & Education

Access to a Skilled Workforce

Western Kansas, “America’s Centerpiece,” is home to a well-educated and skilled workforce. Our robust education system supports students from K-12 through advanced post-secondary opportunities.

Technical and community colleges in the region offer customized training programs to meet business needs, ensuring your company has access to a workforce ready to succeed.

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Educational Institutions in Western Kansas

Technical Colleges

Fort Hays Tech North Central

  • Locations: Beloit and Hays
  • Programs: Certifications, associate, and bachelor’s degrees in mechanics, welding, automotive, healthcare, and construction.

Fort Hays Tech Northwest

  • Location: Goodland
  • Programs: Certifications, associate, and bachelor’s degrees in automotive technology, engineering, precision agriculture, welding, and computer graphics.

Salina Area Technical College (Salina Tech)

  • Location: Salina
  • Programs: Construction, welding, commercial truck driving, and employability certifications for adult workforce re-entry programs.

Universities and Specialized Training

Kansas State University

  • Location: Garden City
  • Specialty: Animal science, crop science, and agribusiness.

Kansas State - Polytechnic Campus

  • Location: Salina
  • Specialty: Aviation and engineering programs as part of Kansas State University.

Kansas State University - Agricultural Research Centers

  • Locations: Hays, Tribune, Garden City, and Colby
  • Programs: Agricultural research focused on beef cattle and crop production, supporting innovation in agriculture and local businesses.

Fort Hays State University

  • Location: Hays
  • Programs: More than 200 undergraduate degrees, with specialties in healthcare, business management, education, and social sciences.

Kansas Wesleyan University

  • Location: Salina
  • Programs: Business, liberal arts, and professional studies.

Wichita State University

  • Location: Wichita
  • Programs: More than 200 undergraduate and 100+ graduate degrees, with specialties in aerospace, industrial engineering, and computer science.

Community Colleges

The Sunflower service region hosts six Kansas community colleges, with an enrollment of more than 1,400 students. These institutions offer associate degrees and certifications in areas such as business, healthcare, agriculture, and technology.

  • Garden City Community College
  • Cloud County Community College
  • Dodge City Community College
  • Seward County Community College
  • Barton County Community College
  • Pratt Community College

Discover Kansas’ diverse and skilled workforce. Contact us to learn more about the educational resources and training opportunities available to support your business.