Workforce Development

Building the Workforce Pipeline 

As a new school year starts, the Greater Hutch team prepares for communication and student involvement in new and existing workforce pipeline programs. Spring of the 2025 school year saw a flurry of events including the second local Hutchinson National Civics Bee April 23rd, Career Quest Public Services Day, the final Mega Tour Day of Career Quest May 7th and Signing Day May 13th. These events give Reno County youth opportunities to explore career opportunities and participate in growing and celebrating their employable skill sets.

The 2025 National Civics Bee gave 20 students from 2 Reno County School districts the opportunity to flex their civics knowledge and compete for the opportunity to move on to the state competition in Wichita. Thanks to grant funds from the US Chamber and generous sponsorship from Ideatek, Rylan G. from HMS 8, Jaxson H. from HMS 7 and Titus W. from HMS 7 were awarded $125 for 3rd place, $250.00 for 2nd place, and $500.00 for first including a commemorative trophy and a new Samsung Tablet.

Kansas' involvement in the National Civics Bee for the second year inspired a Proclamation of the Governor of Youth Civics Day on June 6th.

Career Quest ended with a successful, albeit rainy, Career Quest Public Services Day on May 7th that introduced Reno County 6th grade students to careers available at the City of Hutchinson and Reno County. Additions to the featured careers included park design where students learned from the city what goes into park design and even had the opportunity to design their own. Submissions from 10 schools for the My Career Quest Writing Competition gave insight into the impact of the program. The Greater Hutch team is gearing up to visit educators in early August to deliver the Career Quest 2025-2026 Calendar of megatour days and promote opportunity for their students to participate in the third year of the National Civics Bee