Develop. Attract. Retain.
INClusive. Our Labor Pool Runs Deep
El Dorado has strong partnerships with local and regional educational institutions and workforce programs to help your company with workforce “futuring” — workforce planning for future strength, fueled by technology and labor market analysis — for greater flexibility, far beyond the constraints of legacy talent management processes.
Four-year higher educational institutions within 25 miles of El Dorado
Wichita State University
Friends University
Newman University
Training and Technical
Butler Community College,
WSU Tech
Hutchinson Community College
Skilled Manufacturing.
Ranked #1 in Skilled Manufacturing Workforce in the Nation
Workforce Programs.
Access to local and regional workforce programs
High-Tech Jobs.
Ranked #3 For Percentage of Jobs Classified as High Tech
Proximity.
20 minutes from Wichita
Labor Shed.
Labor shed of more than 400,000 within a 60-mile radius
Partnerships.
In-place work-ready partnerships with school districts and higher education institutions
El Dorado Major Employers
Private:
HollyFrontier Refining – 487 direct/200+ Contract
Susan B Allen Hospital – 414
C-Tech Industries – 193
Pioneer Balloon – 17
BG Products – 111
Valmont/Newmark – 110
Private:
El Dorado Correctional Facility – 580
Butler Community College - 420
Regional Major Employers
A Critical Ingredient to a Thriving Regional Economy is a Ready Supply of Diverse, Skilled Talent.
Greater Wichita Workforce Statistics:
#1 for growth of jobs over the last ten years (BROOKINGS, 2020)
#1 in Percentage of “Very High-Tech” Manufacturing Jobs of 100 largest US Metros (Lightcast, 2021)
#3 for percentage of Jobs Classified as High Tech ( BROOKINGS)
#4 in Manufacturing Jobs as Percent of all Jobs
of the 100 largest U.S. metro areas (Lightcast , 2021)
17.9% of Greater Wichita Employees in Manufacturing (nearly double compared to other metros)
Top 10 in Growth of Business Productivity over the last 10 years (BROOKINGS, 2020)
#3 Engineering Hub in the U.S. (Engineering Daily)
One of only 8 constitutional right to work states in the U.S
Concentration of 900 Manufacturing companies in the region
Greater Wichita Regional Population is 790,138
17 universities and technical colleges with almost 100,000 students
Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas
A wide variety of services are available through the Kansas Workforce Centers located throughout the state.
Services include but are not limited to: statewide and national job listings; applicant pre-screening and application acceptance; space to conduct interviews as well as staff to assist in scheduling; space for job fairs; applicant assessment services and testing; Veteran services; and current labor market information.
Butler Community College
Butler Community College is a public, two-year, co-educational institution located in El Dorado, Kansas. Established in 1927 as El Dorado Junior College, Butler now stands as the second largest community college in Kansas and the sixth largest educational institution in the state. That means, annually, more than 13,000 students ranging in age from sophomores and juniors in high school to grandparents seeking a new career, enjoy and benefit from our small classes and nurturing environment.
Butler Community College plays a significant role in regional economic development. Employers have always turned to Butler as a source for trained workers. By preparing a skilled, qualified local workforce Butler has filled an important need. But increased challenges demanded Butler's role in economic development expand.
Butler is participating in new efforts in economic development to meet new challenges. Beyond instruction and job training for vocational and general education programs; Butler collaborates with government groups and industry partners in response to regional needs. Butler's economic development activities include technical assistance for new and small businesses, expanded programs within high schools, partnerships in economic development activities, and customized training for industries via our Business Education & Training Analysis program.
Butler's workforce and economic development efforts bring our communities together. By combining efforts of the college, local offices of economic development, workforce boards, skilled trade unions, employers and other organizations, we can improve the economic well-being of our communities. This prosperity includes the interests of all businesses, workers and residents in south central Kansas.
Butler's goal is to work with public and private sector partners to provide technical assistance and promote the alignment of priorities, strategies, and resources.
El Dorado Public Schools
USD #490
Unified School District 490, El Dorado Public Schools, serves students and families throughout 128 square miles in the city of El Dorado and the surrounding rural area of Butler County with a comprehensive educational program.
The Class of 2023 earned 144 Career & Technical Education Certificates, we are training our youth for workforce positions right here in Butler County!
USD 490 had 2,100 students enrolled as of September 2022
Circle Public Schools
USD #375
Circle Public Schools offers Pre-K through 12th grade.
Located in southeast Kansas, Circle Public Schools serves the communities of Northeast Wichita, Bel Aire, Benton, Towanda, & El Dorado.
With four elementary, one middle, and one high school, district enrollment is approximately 2100 students for the 2022-2023 school year.
College & Career Ready programs are big in the Circle School District. Work based learning, Internships, Job Shadowing, and more!
