The Kansas Labor Market: Challenges and Implications

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the strengths and weaknesses of the Kansas labor force in the context of the demographic, technological, management and global changes that are affecting the U.S. economy. The most significant results of these changes are the education and skill requirements of jobs are increasing and job opportunities for Kansans without education or skills are declining. Such workers will have limited prospects for high paying jobs and will find fewer employment opportunities than in the past. Employers and employees have a common interest in enhancing the education and skill levels of the Kansas workforce. Employees would benefit by having higher wages and employers would benefit by being able to pursue high performance organizations with greater prospects for being competitive in global markets.

The major human capital challenges for Kansas are (1) to develop a high skilled work force that will be capable of earning high wages and (2) to facilitate the transition to high skilled jobs in Kansas companies in order to enhance competitiveness. The main conclusion of this study is that a high wage/high skill strategy is feasible for Kansas and that the state is as well positioned as other states in this region to pursue such a strategy.