Kansas officials and Wichita State University are looking to boost technical training in public schools.

They're hoping their effort leads to more engineering jobs staying in the state.

The project could start next fall if Wichita State is able to get a $2 million grant from the Knight Foundation.

The plan is to expand pre-engineering and other science courses — first in three Wichita public schools and then beyond.

State leaders are worried about a lack of engineers. They fear the shortage could cause some of the state's biggest employers to leave or send work elsewhere.

Technical education costs money, especially for equipment, which becomes obsolete in three years or less because of technological improvements.