KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Edgemoor is set to hire the first 15 trainees for its new apprenticeship program at Kansas City International Airport.
On Wednesday, the group will be notified. Once the candidates pass a drug screen, they will begin a three-week training on Jan. 20.
Dan Moylan, senior development manager for Edgemoor, said more than 600 people applied and more than 400 were interviewed.
"I don't think we did at all expect this many,” he said. “We're very happy to see what the turnout is. The whole idea behind this is to build workforce capacity in Kansas City and this really demonstrates that there is capacity out there, that we need to get these folks to work.”.
The project that will bring a single terminalto KCI broke ground in March, and foundation work began in the fall.
Another 15 to 20 people will be selected for the second round of the apprenticeship program. That will happen quarterly through the duration of the project.
Starla Potter, who applied and was interviewed for the program, told 41 Action News she applied because she is “tired of jobs.”
“I just want a career,” Potter said. “Something long-lasting, where I can grow with a company."
She would also take advantage of the child care benefit. Edgemoor approved five child care providers in Kansas City to provide extended hours at no cost to program participants. A Ride KC pass will be offered as well.
Perks like that give Potter new hope. She said she has faced “a lot of obstacles and a hard life.”
“I believe this could be a way out,” Potter said.
Moylan said that was Edgemoor’s promise to Kansas City – “to build a legacy and workforce capacity building, so hopefully this becomes a model for that."
The goal is for the new terminal to be open to passengers in 2023.
