A technology startup now headquartered in Wichita is partnering with Wichita Public Schools to help prepare graduating students to capitalize on workforce opportunities.
Knowledge as a Service Inc. has been contracted by the school district to utilize the company’s Ringorang continual learning platform in advance of the district’s spring career fair later this month.
Students will use Ringorang’s app-based training to prepare for the interviews and gain other employment-related skills.
“Annual career fairs allow our students to explore college and career opportunities before graduation,” said Kelly Bielefeld, who is executive director of College and Career Readiness at Wichita Public Schools and incoming superintendent, in a new release. “We want to prepare our students with the knowledge and skills they need to conduct successful interviews as well as gain and retain employment whether they’re going to college or directly into the workforce.”
KaaS has continued to integrate itself with the Wichita community since relocating its operations to the city in 2021.
That’s included continued local hiring, some of which has been tied to applied learning through Wichita State University, and now has the technology company working to help more young workers add to the region’s much-needed talent pipeline.
“Our mission is to transform learning into long-term habits people can rely on in their day-to-day lives,” said Ringorang Chief Vision Officer Robert Feeney. “This program will help graduating Wichita students develop the confidence and employability skills needed when entering the workforce.”
The program launched this week in advance of the April 18 career fair.
The company anticipates helping around 400 students prepare for the event, which will include participation by more than 85 academic and industry organizations.
Ringorang will also continue training modules for the students relating to communication, interviewing and resume preparation following the career fair.
The pilot program between the company and Wichita Public Schools is being funded by grants from the Perkins Foundation for Career and Technical Education (CTE).
