KANSASWORKS Southeast Has Resources for Laid-Off Workers in Emporia

Residents of Lyon County and surrounding areas who were recently displaced from their jobs can turn to KANSASWORK Southeast for the support they need to return to the workforce. This organization provides a variety of services, including resume development, interview practice, and application assistance. Anyone who needs their help can access resources online or visit their workforce center at 215 W. 6th Ave., Suite 107. 

“Some people who have been displaced from their jobs worked at the same company for five or ten years,” says Katie Givens, Assistant Executive Director of KANSASWORKS Southeast. “The job-seeking skills needed in 2025 are different from those used in 2015. Our role is to help workers navigate this modern environment.” 

If you have recently been laid off in Emporia or are an employer facing cutbacks, turn to KANSASWORKS Southeast as your dedicated partner. Their resources help the people of Kansas navigate uncertain waters and step into future careers.

KANSASWORKS Southeast Resources Are Free to Use

All Job Seekers have access to these career services; and enhanced services are available after a determination of eligibility. This organization is funded by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which means your taxes have funded KANSASWORKS Southeast and you deserve to use its resources.

KANSASWORKS Southeast can help you apply for jobs within your field or highlight key skills that would be valued by other industries and organizations. If you are ready for a complete career change, this team of employment experts can help you develop a training or education path to start your next chapter. 

“Some proactive job seekers already coming in to meet with us,” says Givens. “Others are concerned about their futures and want to know what their options are. We are happy to meet people in all parts of their career journey.”  

To meet with a team member at KANSASWORKS Southeast, schedule an appointment online. Depending on your needs, you can meet for 30 minutes or an hour. 

KANSASWORKS Southeast Offers Virtual and In-Person Support

The team at KANSASWORKS Southeast is committed to helping as many people as possible on their ideal terms. They have several online resources and opportunities to meet with advisors virtually. If you live in a rural part of Lyon County or lack reliable transportation to the workforce center, schedule a Teams call or chat virtually with the team. The chat function on KANSASWORKS.com  is not AI-powered, so you will speak with a real human. 

Some people are more comfortable in a virtual environment, while others prefer to meet face-to-face. If you meet in person, KANSASWORKS Southeast is located in a plaza with several other non-profits, so you can also get resources from other organizations. For example, you can get help if you are food insecure while you are currently looking for work. Additionally, KANSASWORKS Southeast has a network of partners and will customize referrals to assist job seekers in support of their employment plan.

The KANSASWORKS Southeast physical office provides access to tools you might not have at home. You can use their computers, printers, and phones to apply for jobs and attend interviews. Feel free to ask for help if you need to improve your computer skills. There is also adaptive equipment to support job seekers with disabilities. If you need more time on the computer, use your KANSASWORKS account to check out one of the laptops and take it home. 

Givens says the KANSASWORKS Southeast team can provide actionable support while also creating space for people to mentally process their displacement. 

“A lot of things happen emotionally when you get laid off,” says Givens. "Not only is there value in all types of work, but many employees become attached to their coworkers. Dislocation from the workplace causes people to go through a cycle of grief. While we are not mental health professionals, talking to someone who understands job loss can help people make a plan and create a path forward.”

Employers Can Work Directly With KANSASWORKS Southeast

KANSASWORKS Southeast is eager to support companies' staffing needs, whether that means finding qualified candidates or navigating a difficult series of cutbacks. 

“If anticipating layoffs, we want to be your partner,” says Givens. “We want to take some of the burden off of your human resources department to deal with things that will happen after dislocation.” 

KANSASWORKS Southeast can deploy its rapid response resources and come directly to your workplace to assist employees. They will set up a manned office space to meet with people and better prepare them to make this transition. 

Employers who aren’t experiencing any major changes can still work closely with KANSASWORKS Southeast. Givens asks companies to share any job openings they have and outline the skillsets they are looking for. The organization can help companies find qualified employees who are ready to work. 

Companies can turn to KANSASWORKS Southeast to access work-based learning funds that train employees. One available program is on-the-job training where employers can access funds to support training for up to six months and focus the training efforts directly on what their employees need to know. 

“We are here to support both the dislocated workers and business community in Lyon County and surrounding areas,” says Givens. “We want to keep the laid-off folks here – or as close to here as possible.”

Emporia Has Several Workforce Resources for Residents

KANSASWORKS Southeast is a valued partner of the Emporia Regional Development Association (RDA). Several workforce resources are available to anyone in Lyon County and surrounding areas who needs assistance with finding work or changing careers. Together, local companies, workers, and community groups can take steps to strengthen this beautiful part of Kansas and ensure a bright future for Emporia.