Workforce + Education
A Workforce Built for Industry Needs
Kansas City’s commitment to workforce development ensures a strong pipeline of talent for the companies locating in the KC Animal Health Corridor.
From high school career pathways to college degrees and technical certifications, students in the KC region gain hands-on training tailored to industry needs. These initiatives, combined with long-standing collaborations between educators and employers, make KC a strategic choice for biomanufacturing expansion.
Corridor Workforce Fast Facts
Educational Institutions
Strategically located between two of the nation’s top veterinary schools — Kansas State University and the University of Missouri — the Corridor benefits from a steady influx of veterinary professionals. These institutions, along with many more within a 300-mile radius, enroll thousands of students relevant to the industry , fueling a robust talent pipeline.
Top Veterinary Schools
The Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in Manhattan, Kansas, has granted Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees to thousands of graduates since its founding. The program offers focused studies in:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Clinical sciences
- Diagnostic medicine and pathobiology
The University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in Columbia, Missouri, has graduated thousands of veterinarians since its founding, offering specialty clinics in:
- Ophthalmology
- Cardiology
- Orthopedics
- Oncology
- Dentistry
- Community medicine
Top Medical Schools
The University of Kansas School of Medicine in Kansas City, Kansas, with additional campuses in Wichita and Salina, prepares physicians through a combination of clinical training and research. The program offers specialized studies in:
- Internal Medicine
- Pediatrics
- Surgery
- Psychiatry
- Family Medicine
The University of Kansas School of Pharmacy in Lawrence, Kansas, is nationally recognized for advancing pharmaceutical education and research. The program emphasizes training in:
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Pharmacy Practice
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Clinical Pharmacy
The University of Missouri School of Medicine in Columbia, Missouri, provides comprehensive medical education with a focus on patient-centered care and research. The program offers specialty training in:
- Primary Care
- Neurology
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Cardiology
- Oncology
The University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine is known for its innovative six-year B.A./M.D. program that integrates clinical experience from the start. The program provides training in:
- Emergency Medicine
- Internal Medicine
- Surgery
- Anesthesiology
- Pediatrics
Kansas City University is one of the nation’s leading osteopathic medical schools, combining a focus on whole-person care with rigorous clinical training. The program highlights include:
- Osteopathic Principles and Practice
- Primary Care
- Anatomy and Biomedical Sciences
- Public Health
- Community Medicine
Two-Year & Certification Programs
These regional institutions also offer a range of programs that support the animal health and broader life science industry, from veterinary technology to biomedical science:
The Dwayne Peaslee Technical Training Center, Lawrence, KS
- Automation and Robotics
- Engineering Assistant
- Facilities Maintenance Tech
- Industrial Maintenance
- Introduction to Manufacturing
Johnson County Community College, Overland Park, KS
- Automated Engineering Technology
- Metal Fabricating and Welding
- Metal Fabrication/Welding Technology
Kansas City KS Community College, Kansas City, KS
- Automation Engineer Technology Certificate and Automation Engineer Technology
- Biomanufacturing Certificate A
- Building Engineering & Maintenance Technology Certificates (A, B, and C)
- Industrial Maintenance Technician
Metropolitan Community College, Kansas City, MO
- Building Maintenance
- Computer Integrated Machining & Manufacturing
- Industrial Technology
- Welding
Manhattan Area Technical College, Manhattan, KS
- Veterinary Assistant
- Medical Laboratory Technology
- Industrial Technologies
Flint Hills Technical College, Emporia, KS
- Computerized Machine Tool Engineering
- Industrial Engineering Technology
- Information Technology
- Applied Technologies
- Health & Human Services
Four-Year Programs
The KC region’s universities provide industry-aligned programs in biotechnology, pharmaceutical sciences, and engineering, producing a skilled workforce through applied research and partnerships that support the growth of advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Benedictine College, Atchison, KS
- Biology
- Biochemistry
- Chemistry
Emporia State University, Emporia, KS
- Biology
- Biochemistry
- Chemistry
- Zoology
Kansas State University-Olathe, Olathe, KS
Kansas State University’s satellite campus in Olathe, KS, offers many animal health courses emphasizing nutrition and health for animals. Topics for these courses include Animal Sciences and Industry, Applied and Interdisciplinary Studies, and Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology. The K-State Olathe campus also offers webinars, seminars, and a three-day conference, all focused on the animal health industry, including CE opportunities through the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University.
Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
The Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine is dedicated to scholarship through
innovation and excellence in teaching, research, and service to promote animal and human health for the public good. They are committed to creating an environment that is fulfilling and rewarding, being recognized for good communication, productive collaboration, mutual respect, diversity, integrity, and honesty. The college’s nationally recognized instructional and research programs provide the highest standards of professional education.
The Biosecurity Research Institute (BRI) on the campus of Kansas State University is the home of comprehensive infectious disease research to address threats to agriculture and public health. It was designed and constructed to meet or exceed biosafety level-3, or BSL-3, and biosafety level-3 agriculture, or BSL-3Ag, standards. This facility provides K-State scientists and their collaborators with a safe and secure location to study high-consequence pathogens affecting plants, animals, and food products, including zoonotic pathogens that infect humans.
Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph, MO
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Technology
Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, MO
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Animal Science
- Data Science
Rockhurst University, Kansas City, MO
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Biomedical Physics- Research Focus
- Biophysics/Physics of Medicine
- Chemistry
- Medical Laboratory Sciences
University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, MO
- Biochemistry (Pre-Med, Pre-Dental, Pre-Vet, Pre-Pharm)
- Biomedical Cellular & Molecular Biology
- Biology- general, animal and plant
- Chemistry
- Engineering Technology – offers five concentrations: Robotics-Automation and Controls; Mechanical Engineering Technology; Industrial Engineering Technology; Civil Engineering Technology; and Engineering Technology Management
University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS / Edwards Campus, Overland Park, KS
- Biology
- Biotechnology
- Chemistry
- Medicinal Chemistry Graduate Programs
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Graduate Program
University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
The University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine is devoted to educating and training
outstanding clinicians and scientists from diverse backgrounds, generating new knowledge, engaging stakeholders, and fostering economic growth, all of which promote and protect the health and welfare of animals and people. MU is a national leader in comparative medicine, in which researchers collaborate by sharing discoveries, innovations, and treatments for animals and humans. For more than four decades, the National Institutes of Health has continuously funded comparative medicine research at the University of Missouri. The College of Veterinary Medicine has been and continues to be an essential partner in this research.
University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO
- Biology
- Biology-Biotechnology Emphasis
- Biomedical Engineers
- Chemistry
Washburn University, Topeka, KS
- Biology
- Chemistry
William Jewell College, Liberty, MO
- Biology
- Biochemistry
- Chemistry
Attracting the Heartland's Top Graduates
The Corridor is also a magnet for attracting graduates from top-tier regional universities throughout the Heartland.
Career Resources
The KC Animal Health Corridor is committed to growing and supporting a world-class workforce. Whether you’re exploring a new career or hiring top talent, the Corridor offers industry-leading tools and connections tailored to the animal health sector.
ExploreAHCareers.com
No. 1 Tool For Growing the Talent Pipeline
The one-stop resource for career exploration within the Corridor for students looking to discover:
- Career pathways based on interests, education level and income goals.
- Education and training programs available in the region.
- Cost of Living Calculator — compare costs for housing, utilities, groceries and other expenses in any given city.
Let’s Build the Future of Animal Health — Together
If your company is innovating in animal health, diagnostics or pet food, the KC Animal Health Corridor offers unmatched opportunity and support. Get in touch to see how we can help your business grow.
Kimberly Young
President
KC Animal Health Corridor
816.654.3617
young@ThinkKC.com
Emily McVey
Vice President
KC Animal Health Corridor
816.522.6168
mcvey@ThinkKC.com
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