Reports

Talent-to-Industry Exchanges

The Talent-to-Industry Exchange (TIE) concept was introduced in 2016 as a way to improve the labor supply in key industry sectors, growing the human capital necessary to attract and retain companies in the Kansas City region. TIEs are a signature strategy of KC Rising. KC Rising is a civic partnership that is strengthening the regional economy by focusing civic energy around trade, ideas and people.

Public Sector Talent-to-Industry Exchange

The Public Sector Talent-to-Industry Exchange report provides labor analysis for public sector occupations in the Kansas City region. It includes quantitative data about the labor market, as well as qualitative insights gathered through focus groups and surveys. (Published April 2021)

Technology Talent-to-Industry Exchange

The Technology Talent-to-Industry Exchange provides economic and labor analysis for technology occupations. It includes quantitative data about the labor market, as well as qualitative insights gathered through facilitated group discussions, individual interviews with business leaders and one work session conducted in 2020.

Skilled Trades Talent-to-Industry Exchange

The Skilled Trades (TIE) report provides the economic and labor analysis for the occupations that are part of the skilled trades industry. It includes quantitative data about the labor market, as well as qualitative insights gathered through an online survey of industry leaders, facilitated group discussions, individual interviews with business leaders and two work sessions conducted in 2017. (Published Feb. 2019)

KC Global Design Talent-to-Industry Exchange

The KC Global Design Talent-to-Industry Exchange (TIE) report provides economic and labor analysis for the architecture and engineering industry in Greater Kansas City. It includes quantitative data about the labor market as well as qualitative insights gathered through an online survey of industry leaders, facilitated group discussions, individual interviews with business leaders, and two work sessions conducted in April and May 2017. (Revised May 2018)

KC Global Design Workforce Plan - 2018

This report provides a workforce action plan for the KC Global Design Talent-to-Industry Exchange (TIE).

This workforce plan — built on business-led discussions and using both quantitative and qualitative data — outlines strategies identified and prioritizes three high-level recommendations to move forward immediately. (Published Aug. 2018)

Life Sciences
Talent-to-Industry Exchange

This report provides the economic and labor analysis for the first TIE, which focuses on life sciences industry in Greater Kansas City. It includes information from business engagement that took place in late 2016.
(Published Feb. 2017)

Life Sciences Workforce Plan - 2017

This report provides a workforce action plan for the Life Sciences Talent-to-Industry Exchange (TIE). This workforce plan — built on business-led discussions and using both quantitative and qualitative data — outlines strategies identified and prioritizes two “big ideas” to move forward immediately.

(Published Oct. 2017)

Other Reports

Career and Tech Education in Greater Kansas City

Career prep programs can put students on the path to success by offering experiential learning, industry-recognized credentials and college-credit courses while students are still in high school. Career & Tech Education prepares students for what’s next, whether they are on the path to college, a first job, or both. This report was created in response to community demand for information about Career & Tech Education and ways to develop workplace competencies beginning in grades K-12. It presents a snapshot of regional CTE in the Kansas City metropolitan area. (Published Nov. 2017)

Education Asset Inventory - 2019

To have a significant impact on the regional economy — and on the quality of life of those who complete degrees — postsecondary attainment must lead to quality jobs in key industry sectors. Building strong connections between education and industry requires a clear understanding of currently available educational credentials. The Education Asset Inventory captures the post-secondary credentials available in the Kansas City region for five industry sectors that are particularly important to the regional economy. (Published Nov. 2019)

Common Sector Competencies for the Kansas City Region

Regardless of where, what or how educators teach, we all have the same mission — to prepare our students for the future. A key part of how we envision our students' future success revolves around their ability to support both themselves and their families. However, significant shifts in the global economy, the prevalence and sophistication of technology and the impact of both of these dynamics on the national and regional workforce have generated uncertainty about the skills and knowledge students need in order to be successful in tomorrow's economy. KC Rising's Common Sector Competencies clarify the skills that are valued by employers and help teachers, schools and school districts align teaching and learning to the demands of the workplace. (Published Dec. 2016) Download the Common Sector Competencies Model poster»

Download the Common Sector Competencies pocket version»

KC Rising Sector Leader Research Insights 2015

KC Rising is a joint initiative of the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City, Kansas City Area Development Council and Mid-America Regional Council to create a long range vision for regional prosperity. In 2015, this initiative was organized around three key economic drivers: Global Trade, Innovation & Entrepreneurship and Human Capital. This initiative engaged nearly 200 volunteers to develop a regional business plan. Business leaders were interviewed as part of the KC Rising initiative. This slide set, prepared by Clear Box Insights, is a summary of interview findings. The report includes a description of the advantages and disadvantages of doing business in Kansas City and the findings related to human capital capacity.

Greater Kansas City Labor Basin Labor Availability Analysis 2015

Created in July 2015 for the Mid-America Regional Council by The Docking Institute of Public Affairs of Fort Hays State University, this report provides labor basin labor availability on the Greater Kansas City Labor Basin, which includes nine counties in Kansas and Missouri: Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte and Ray counties in Missouri; and Johnson, Leavenworth, Miami and Wyandotte counties in Kansas. This report also provides information from the 23-county larger region adjacent to and including the Greater Kansas City Labor Basin and includes data from previous labor studies conducted in the area.

Economic and Workforce Update in the Kansas City Metro, 2014

Published in November 2014, this report provides 2013 data on the region's education and workforce, and identifies potential key indicators to measure the region's progress in:

• Preparing students for postsecondary success.
• Achieving meaningful credentials and degrees.
• Growing a skilled workforce to meet industry needs.
• Increasing economic prosperity.

Health Care in the Kansas City Metro

Published in March 2014, this report provides 2013 industry and workforce data on health care in the region, including emerging trends, top employers, projected industry growth, top skills and certifications sought by employers, and annual income by education level.

Economic and Workforce Update in the Kansas City Metro, 2013

Using September 2013 data, this report summarizes industry, occupation and workforce trends for the Kansas City metro, with a special emphasis on those industries that the region specializes in. It shows how we compare to peer metros in those industries, what kind of growth we can expect in the next decade, and what skills and certifications are most in demand.

Digital Storytelling in the Kansas City Metro

This June 2013 report includes occupation and workforce data, industry profiles and training resources for the field of digital storytelling — using computers, digital and web technologies to create everything from mobile apps to feature films. It includes job skills in demand, median hourly wages, job growth projections and notable are employers in digital storytelling.

Manufacturing in the Kansas City Metro

Published in May 2013, this report provides industry and workforce data on manufacturing, including top manufacturers, projected industry growth, top skills and certifications sought by employers, annual income by education level, area resources and success stories.