A little-known provision in Kansas's budget bill puts $14.3 million toward apprenticeship training—and your salon may be eligible.
Most salon and personal care owners in Kansas don't realize that a significant workforce funding opportunity is already available to them. Buried in HB2513, the state's supplemental and ongoing appropriations bill, is a $14.3 million apprenticeship grant program designed specifically to help small businesses like yours build a trained workforce at no direct cost.
Section 65(b) of HB2513 allocates $14.3 million to Kansas community and technical colleges for apprenticeship development and business-industry outreach. The funds are distributed by formula across colleges statewide, with a clear purpose: connect small businesses with apprentices and customized training programs that meet real workforce needs.
For salon and personal care businesses, this means your local community college can develop apprenticeship pathways tailored to your hiring needs—whether that's cosmetology, esthetics, nail care, or management roles—and the college absorbs the training cost. You gain access to job-ready apprentices without paying tuition or program development fees out of pocket.
The program targets small businesses. If you operate a salon, spa, or personal care facility in Kansas, your business is the intended beneficiary. Community colleges handle outreach to identify which businesses need apprentices and what skills matter most in your market. You don't need to apply for the state funds directly; instead, you work with your regional community or technical college to develop an apprenticeship program that fits your operation.
The funds are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. Community colleges must certify that they are not increasing their tax levy in 2027 in order to receive and keep the funds. If a college cannot meet this requirement, the funds lapse on June 30, 2027.
This means the window to establish or expand apprenticeship programs is now through mid-2027. If your salon has been thinking about formalizing training for new hires or building a pipeline of skilled workers, this is the time to contact your local community college's workforce development office.
Workforce shortages in personal care are real. Apprenticeships offer a structured way to develop talent while the state covers the cost. You get employees trained to your standards, and apprentices earn while they learn. The college handles curriculum design and instruction; you provide on-the-job mentoring and real work experience.
Because funds are allocated by formula to colleges across Kansas, availability and program design will vary by region. The best next step is to reach out to your community college's business and industry partnerships office and ask whether they are developing apprenticeship programs for salons and personal care businesses.
For more details on HB2513 Section 65(b), consult your state representative, your local community college's workforce development office, or the Kansas Department of Commerce. A business-specific resource guide on accessing these funds is available through most regional chambers of commerce and salon industry associations.