Workforce

Workforce

The population in the Cloud County, Kansas labor basin is 111,618 people. These loyal and hardworking individuals take pride in their trades and communities. The educational pipeline in the region is strong and committed to aiding residents develop and improve their skills.

Cloud County has a high concentration (location quotient) of the following occupation groups:

  • Rail Transportation Workers (SOC 53-4000)
  • Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers (SOC 45-1000)
  • Agricultural Workers (SOC 45-2000)
  • Metal Workers and Plastic Workers (SOC 51-4000)
  • Supervisors of Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers (SOC 49-1000)
  • Food Processing Workers (SOC 51-3000)
  • Motor Vehicle Operators (SOC 53-3000)
  • Plant and System Operators (SOC 51-8000)

(Source: Emsi, 2020)

Higher Education

Cloud County Community College serves the educational needs of 12 counties in North Central Kansas and offers degrees and certificates in agriculture, business, mathematics and engineering, renewable energy and other science fields. 

North Central Kansas Technical College offers over 24 programs of study at its two campuses one in the neighboring Mitchell County, City of Beloit and another in Hays, Kansas. NCKTC offers degrees and certificates in business and technology, automation, transportation technology, welding and more. 

Salina Area Technical College offers technical certificates and associate degrees in automotive technology, business administration and technology, commercial truck driving, electrical technology, machine tool technology and welding. Salina is just south of Cloud County down Highway 81. 

Kansas State Polytechnic, also south of Cloud County via Highway 81, offers Bachelor’s, Associate’s degrees, as well as certificates in applied business and technology, manufacturing, aviation electronics, computer systems technology, electronic and computer engineering technology, mechanical engineering, robotics and automation and more.  As the no. 2 Unmanned Aerial Systems College in the United States, Kansas State Polytechnic, is on the cutting edge of a dynamic and growing field.