Kansas City Dislocated Workers Job Fair Oct. 22 in Overland Park

OVERLAND PARK, KS — If a layoff notice landed on your desk this year, or you can feel one coming, mark Thursday, October 22. Workforce Partnership, the public workforce board for Johnson, Wyandotte and Leavenworth counties, is holding a Dislocated Workers Job Fair at the Johnson County Library's Central Resource Library on West 87th Street, a three-hour afternoon built for Kansas City job seekers who are between jobs through no fault of their own.

A Kansas City job fair aimed squarely at laid-off and at-risk workers, with retraining help in the same building: Thursday, October 22, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. in Overland Park.

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📍 At a Glance

Event	Workforce Partnership Dislocated Workers Job Fair
Date	Thursday, October 22, 2026
Time	1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Location	Johnson County Library, Central Resource Library, 9875 W. 87th Street, Overland Park, KS 66212
Format	In person, multi-employer
Registration	Recommended, through the Workforce Partnership event page
Who it's for	Workers recently laid off or at risk of a layoff

A Job Fair Built Around a Layoff

Most fall hiring events are open doors for anyone. This one has a narrower purpose: put people who recently lost a job, or expect to, in front of employers who are hiring, with the board's own staff on hand to talk about what comes next.

The employer list and industries haven't been posted yet, so don't count on a particular company. Expect hiring managers who know the room is full of experienced workers looking for a fresh start.

The library sits near I-35 and 87th Street Parkway, an easy drive from Lenexa, Shawnee and Merriam. RideKC Route 487 stops nearby at 87th and Farley.

💪 More Than Handshakes: Retraining Money

The fair is the front door to a bigger set of services. Workforce Partnership asks attendees to set up a free account on KANSASWORKS, the state's job-matching system, before they come. That account is how you reach the board's classroom training, on-the-job training and registered apprenticeship programs.

For Johnson County residents, the board's JOCO KS Works program can cover tuition and course materials, up to a $10,000 cap, for people who qualify. Career navigators, skills assessments and, in some cases, transportation or child care help during training are also on the menu. Eligibility rules apply, including county residency, so ask at the fair or call the Johnson County Workforce Center on Bluejacket Street in Lenexa at (913) 577-5900.

📋 How to Show Up Ready

Fix your resume first. Workforce Partnership runs a free resume workshop at the same library from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. on the first Thursday and third Tuesday of each month. By that schedule the next session falls on Tuesday, October 20, two days before the fair. Confirm with the board at (913) 577-5939.
Bring printed copies and a short, honest line about why you're looking.
Register ahead through the event page so the organizer has your name.

Need an accommodation? Workforce Partnership asks for requests at least five working days ahead through the Kansas Relay Service at 711 or 1-800-766-3777.

Not Laid Off? Other Fall Fairs Fit Better

If you're working and just want a better job, a general fair is a better fit. The JobNewsUSA fair at Harrah's Kansas City on October 21 is the day before, and our fall Kansas City job fairs guide lists every confirmed event on both sides of State Line. Different event, different day, different crowd.

🔎 Start Searching Before October 22

Knowing who's hiring makes every conversation at the fair sharper. These searches cover Johnson County and Kansas City openings that fit a career reset.

Start here:

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is the Dislocated Workers Job Fair?

Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Johnson County Library's Central Resource Library, 9875 W. 87th Street, Overland Park, KS 66212.

Who can attend?

It's designed for people recently laid off or at risk of a layoff. The listing doesn't limit it to Kansas residents, though the board's training funds have their own rules.

Which employers will be there?

Not yet published. Check the event page closer to the date or call (913) 577-5900.

Can Workforce Partnership pay for retraining?

For eligible Johnson County residents, yes. Its JOCO KS Works program can fund tuition and course materials up to a $10,000 cap, plus some support services. A career navigator will walk you through whether you qualify.

Your Next Job Starts Before the Fair

Don't wait for October 22 to get in front of employers. Create your LocalJobPage profile today and browse every Kansas City job listing so you can follow up with the companies you meet.

Employers: Hiring experienced workers this fall? Post your openings on LocalJobPage and reach Kansas City job seekers ready to start.