Patterson Family Foundation commits $3.8M to expand rural workforce training in Kansas City region

The Patterson Family Foundation has announced a three-year, $3.8 million commitment to Great Jobs KC in Missouri to expand tuition-free workforce training in rural communities throughout the Kansas City region. The award will back certification programs in high-demand fields, along with coaching, childcare, and transportation support to remove barriers to employment. The expansion targets rural residents lacking access to career pathways, aiming to connect participants directly to local employers and strengthen regional economies with the goal of placing 50,000 workers in family-sustaining jobs by 2032.