According to a local news report, 40 percent of Wichita, Kan. residents are struggling to pay for basic living expenses. A new partnership between local employers and Wichita State University (WSU) aims to address that challenge by helping more Wichitans take their economic futures into their own hands.
The W. Frank Barton School of Business at WSU recently launched SPERO, a program that will broaden WSU’s ability to serve the community in part through the establishment of a micro-credential program. Micro-credentials are short-term educational programs that allow individuals to learn a specific skill and earn a certificate or credential for it.
The Charles Koch Foundation (CKF) is a founding supporter.
“We need new, innovative programs focused on getting more people the education they need to help unlock their potential. SPERO is a great example of what that can look like,” said Charles Koch Foundation Executive Director Ryan Stowers. “Partnering with local employers to design micro-credential programs is an important step toward ensuring that the Barton School continues to expand the access to opportunity necessary to help more people find their purpose.”
Using micro-credentials to help residents find purpose-filled work
SPERO’s micro-credential program will help residents discover and develop their own unique aptitudes, with a focus on the soft-skills necessary to pursue a career. The program will be free to qualified participants.
Community members can pick from one of two tracks: an entrepreneurship track that will offer practical training for people looking to start or expand their businesses and a career readiness track designed for individuals looking for a job or a career change. Residents on this track will have an opportunity to apply for open roles at one of the 22 local businesses that have joined SPERO as employer partners. The businesses represent a wide range of industries and career paths, including Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, Cargill, Fidelity Bank, and Cocoa Dolce.
Participants on both tracks will have access to a wide network of resources, knowledge, and mentors and will receive certificates and credit hours from Wichita State University.
Applications for both micro-credential programs are open now. Interviews will be conducted from late September to early October.
Bottom-up: SPERO will give citizens tools to contribute to future prosperity
In addition to helping Wichita residents transform their lives through meaningful employment, SPERO will help guide the efforts of citizens and community organizations acting to advance Wichita’s prosperity.
One of SPERO’s inaugural initiatives will be the Wichita Scorecard, an integrated dashboard that will track progress on key city performance indicators. This publicly accessible tool will serve economic development and nonprofit organizations addressing pressing social issues, along with individuals who want to contribute to the city’s betterment.
“Our community’s best chance at growth and progress is through meaningful collaborations,” said John Rolfe, president and CEO of the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce. “SPERO puts collaboration at the forefront and creates practical pathways for those eager to contribute to our city.”
Through an ambassador program, community members also will be able volunteer time and expertise as mentors to others in the community.
Learn more at www.wichita.edu/spero.