This memorandum looks at Kansas’ efforts to support military transition and retention, particularly in workforce development, statewide coordination, and program awareness. Research is broken into four areas: credential and training incentives, statewide transition and navigation platforms, pre-separation workforce alignment, and marketing and communication gaps.
The memorandum provides comparative analysis by benchmarking Kansas (KS) against the following peer states: Arkansas (AR), Colorado (CO), Iowa (IA), Missouri (MO), Nebraska (NE), and Oklahoma (OK).
Credential and Training Incentives
KLRD reviewed existing programs supporting credentialing and workforce training. The review focuses on all programs available to National Guard members, military veterans, and their spouses and dependents. A comprehensive table is provided at the end of this section with links to the relevant programs for each state.
Credentialing
Licensing recognition and portability are broken down into three main categories.
Colorado (CRS 12-20-202), Missouri (Mo. Rev. Stat. 324.009), and Arkansas (Ark. Code 17-4-105) provide the broadest recognition and portability frameworks affecting all regulated professions and include veterans and military spouses.
Kansas (KSA 48-3406) requires licensing boards to grant credit for military education, training, and experience toward licensure, but does not mandate expedited licensure across all regulated professions.
Nebraska (Neb. Rev. Stat. 38-129.01), Iowa (Iowa Code 272C.12a), and Oklahoma (Okla. Stat. 59-4100) provide credential recognition and temporary or expedited licensure triggered by military orders, comparable in scope to Kansas.
Apprenticeships
KLRD did not identify any state-specific apprenticeship programs focused on transitioning veterans. Kansas has an Office of Regapprenticeships orhip, but there is no program specializing in fast-tracking service members into civilian apprenticeships, or fast-tracking an apprenticeship based on military experience. Peer states all offer similar, general-level apprenticeship programs. Most states recommend veterans utilize the U.S. Department of Defense SkillBridge program or GI Bill benefits in regard to apprenticeship.
Tuition Assistance
Each state provides tuition assistance for National Guard members. Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, and Oklahoma provide tuition assistance for military dependents. Kansas is the only state that does not limit that assistance to dependents whose military member was injured or killed. Kansas, Arkansas, and Colorado provide an in-state tuition exception for military members and their dependents. Kansas provides a military service scholarship for certain veterans that covers up to 100 percent of tuition and fees at eligible public institutions, while Missouri provides reduced tuition rates for combat veterans.
College Credit
Oklahoma provides college credit for military service, training, and occupations based on certain criteria.
Table of Credentialing and Training Incentives
| Program | KS | AR | CO | IA | MO | NE | OK |
| Tuition assistance for National Guard members | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tuition assistance for dependents | Yes | Yes* | Yes* | Yes* | |||
| Military service scholarship | Yes | ||||||
| In-state tuition exceptions | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Reduced tuition for combat veterans | Yes | ||||||
| College credit for military service (Okla. Stat. 59-4100.3) | Yes |
Statewide Transition and Navigation Platforms
Every state except Oklahoma has at least a webpage devoted to veterans transitioning into the civilian workforce. Kansas, Arkansas, Colorado, and Iowa have devoted sub-websites providing veteran workforce transition services and resources separate from a state agency’s website. Missouri and Nebraska offer a digital platform as part of their state’s workforce development or veterans affairs agency website. Oklahoma provides a military-specific page on the Oklahoma Works website.
KanVet
KanVet is a website that provides a library of resources linking to various entities and agencies that have resources available to help veterans. Features of the site include:
- Links to various resources, including KANSASWORKS and KanSERVE;
- Veteran priority and career assistance services at workforce development centers;
- Veterans’ resumes listed on KANSASWORKS for employers seeking veteran job applicants;
- A brief description of NetWork Kansas for veterans interested in starting a small business;
- Links to various resources about higher education, including career exploration, financial aid, and credit for military experience;
- Links to the National Guard Educational Assistance program;
- Links to state tuition assistance for eligible dependents; and
- Links to the Kansas Military Service Scholarship.
There is also a Home Base Wichita program. It helps service members and spouses find jobs and learn about Wichita. It also provides information to employers about hiring veterans and provides employer-related resources. This program appears to be an initiative of the Wichita Workforce Center.
Home Base Arkansas
Home Base Arkansas is a website that provides information and resources about careers, communities, and educational benefits in Arkansas for veterans transitioning to the civilian workforce. Features of the site include:
- Information about licensure portability and ability to find a license;
- Information on the priority access for veterans and individualized career services that may be obtained from veteran specialists at workforce centers;
- Access to the Career Concourse jobs database to find careers linked to a veteran’s military background;
- List of company expansions and relocations into Arkansas;
- Links to SkillBridge opportunities and Boots to Business entrepreneurship training provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration;
- Information about relocating to Arkansas; and
- Information about free tuition for veterans and service members at any state-supported college, university, technical school, or vocational school.
Hire A Colorado Vet
Hire a Colorado Vet is a one-page website that provides the following features:
- Information about veteran priority at workforce centers, assistance with resumes and cover letters, help translating military experience to job requirement matches, and more career guidance services;
- Information about programs to help employers recruit veterans, assess matches, and create talent pipelines;
- Information about the Work Opportunity Tax Credit when hiring qualified veterans; and
- Information about the tuition waiver for National Guard members at specific state institutions.
Home Base Iowa
Home Base Iowa (HBI) is a dedicated statewide program and brand that unifies veteran workforce development efforts under a single umbrella. In addition to providing workforce development service information and educational benefits for veterans, HBI also provides community services as noted below. Features of the platform include:
- Careers
- Links to IowaWORKS for Veterans portal where veterans may post resumes, find Iowa employment opportunities and training and workshop resources to acquire additional skills, and have employers review resumes;
- IowaWORKS career planner to help veterans prepare for the workforce;
- Information about the SkillBridge program;
- Information related to the Hilton Honors Military Program, which assists veterans with employment-related travel activities; and
- Information on how employers can become Certified HBI Businesses.
- Communities
- Incentives and friendly employment opportunities to help veterans and families find a new place to call home;
- Information on how communities can become an HBI Community by obtaining a resolution of support from the appropriate local governing body, developing an incentive package for veterans, and displaying an HBI Community designation prominently;
- Information on communities and their incentive packages; and
- A portal to apply to become a certified community or for veterans to submit an incentive application.
- Education
- Certifies higher education entities that help promote Iowa as a place for veterans and families choosing to pursue higher education goals. These entities must provide certain services and resources to qualify as a Certified Higher Academic Military Partner (CHAMP).
Mo Heroes Connect
Mo Heroes Connect is a dedicated statewide brand to help unify veteran workforce development efforts under a single umbrella. Features of the platform include:
- No-cost access to career guidance; assistance in assessing skills, job matching, and developing an employment plan; job readiness assessment; and referrals to jobs, services, and other resources;
- Occupational skills training;
- A Career Skills Program to assist transitioning service members in finding an internship, apprenticeship, or certification program completed within 180 days before their last day on active duty;
- Information on incentive programs, guides, and resources available to help employers take the proper steps when preparing to hire a veteran, military spouse, or enlisted person;
- Information on assistance for expenses related to employment or training or transportation expenses associated with such training or employment, up to $1,500; and
- Information on financial assistance to families facing financial crisis from overdue bills or child care expenses, up to $1,500.
Nebraska Veterans’ Gateway
Nebraska Veterans’ Gateway is a state agency-level page that provides resources for Nebraska veterans and includes links to other military and veteran benefits as part of the Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs (Department). Features include:
- Assistance matching veterans to jobs through an online “resource expert” that helps veterans find tools and benefits available to assist with transitioning to civilian life and assists with finding employment;
- Options to use a “job converter” tool that lists ideas for civilian jobs based on skill sets acquired during service;
- Links to the NEworks online job board, which has a dedicated veterans page;
- Links to Nebraska Department of Labor resources, including workshops, resume assistance, and career counseling;
- Links to the Nebraska State Jobs website and the Department’s employment page; and
- Links to various educational benefits for veterans and dependents.
Oklahoma Employment Security Commission
The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission is a state agency-level webpage that links to the Oklahoma Works website. Military service members, veterans, and spouses may be eligible to receive personalized career services through the Jobs for Veterans State Grant (JVSG). The JVSG team consists entirely of veterans stationed across the state with extensive training to help veterans access local, state, and federal resources to overcome barriers to employment. The site includes links to events, partner organizations, and additional resources for veterans.
The Oklahoma National Guard also provides career services and matches National Guard members and veterans with employers. The Employment Coordination Program provides career services such as resume building, interview coaching, and civilian job searches. Oklahoma Veterans United is a private, not-for-profit group that provides services similar to those provided by other entities in this section.
Pre-separation Workforce Alignment
State-sponsored programs that pair military installations with local communities could not be found. However, some installations work closely with nearby communities, employers, and schools to host programs to facilitate workforce transition for service members.
Kansas
The Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce hosts an annual tour welcoming service members and families from Fort Riley as part of the Chamber’s Talent Division’s efforts to connect employers with transitioning service members.
The Wichita Chamber of Commerce has a Military Affairs Council that “is committed to strengthening the bond between the military, our business community and the broader region.” It hosts events to build connections between McConnell Air Force Base (AFB) leadership and local businesses and bridge workforce gaps by connecting employers with skilled military spouses and transitioning service members.
Arkansas
Little Rock AFB hosts an annual Fall Career & Education Fair “designed to connect job seekers, students, and community members with leading employers and educational opportunities across the region.”
Colorado
The Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce highlights its support and advocacy for initiatives to help service members and their families, including links to major employers in the area looking for transitioning veterans, links to the Hire A Vet program, and resources for living in Colorado Springs.
Oklahoma
Tinker AFB hosted an event with Midwest City Chamber of Commerce to “strengthen community partnerships and provide local leaders with a deeper understanding of the national security work accomplished at Tinker Air Force Base.”
Nation-wide Programs
Hiring Our Heroes program connects the military community with American businesses through various fellowships and networks.
| Location | Corporate Fellowship | Military Spouse Professional Network | Skills-based Fellowship |
| Fort Leavenworth, KS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fort Riley, KS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Colorado Springs, CO | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Offutt AFB, NE | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fort Leonard Wood, MO | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Whiteman AFB, MO | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Marketing and Communication Gaps
Most states do not have a dedicated social media presence for their veteran workforce development initiatives. States appear to sporadically post relevant items to their jobs and workforce agencies’ social media pages.
| Platform | KS | AR | CO | IA | MO | NE | OK |
| Kansas Works | No | No | HBI county-specific page | Mo Heroes Connect | No | No | |
| Twitter / X | No | No | No | Inactive since 2022 | No | No | Oklahoma Works |
| Kansas Works | No | No | No | No | No | Department of Veterans Affairs | |
| TikTok | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| eNewsletter | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |