Partnerships see demand remain high despite budget cutbacks

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - Workforce centers across the country and in Kansas City are being asked to help more job seekers with smaller budgets.

Federal funding for Workforce Partnership has steadily decreased by about $800,000 over the past five years. One of their core functions is training people for the jobs that are available.

If funding continues to decrease, leaders say their ability to connect job seekers and employers will suffer.

“It’s harder and harder to make that match,” said Scott Anglemyer of the local Workforce Partnership office. “Fewer of those matches get made, and we have what to me would be the worst situation of higher unemployment and higher job vacancy at the same time.”

Workforce Partnership has roughly 10,000 visits a month from job seekers.