Kentucky is experiencing a workforce development revolution, finding new and better methods to educate and train the workforce of today and tomorrow.
Government, business and educational intuitions are working closely together to cater to employers’ specific needs. These partnerships include:
Kentucky is currently investing $100 million in new and expanded facilities to create a highly trained, modernized workforce to meet the needs of employers in the state.
Local communities, schools and businesses also have partnered to invest in these facilities to create a workforce training system in Kentucky that is unmatched. This will include new or expanded workforce training operations, plus new equipment, software and furnishings.
Work Ready Skills Initiative
A collaboration among Kentucky organizations to provide workforce solutions to businesses, the Kentucky Skills Network offers assistance with employee recruitment, customized training solutions, training incentives and skills development. These services are often offered at no cost to the employer.
The Kentucky Skills Network includes the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, The Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, The Kentucky Labor Cabinet and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. All of these government agencies work together to provide seamless workforce development assistance to companies.
Last year, training was provided to 95,000 workers and 5,000 companies.
Kentucky Skills Network
Kentucky communities are working to ensure their employees are trained to handle ever-changing business needs. The state’s Work Ready Communities program – the most rigorous workforce certification program in the nation – is inspiring meaningful dialogue and action by community, education, government and business leaders across the Commonwealth.
The Work Ready Communities program requires communities to meet criteria in six key areas that are critical to producing a productive workforce. Criteria includes high school graduation rates, National Career Readiness Certificate holders, community commitment, educational attainment, soft skills and Internet availability.
With more than half of Kentucky’s counties already certified as either Work Ready or Work Ready in Progress, and the remainder of the state’s counties in some stage of the journey, Kentucky is preparing the workforce of the future today.
Work Ready Communities
Training Tomorrow’s Workforce
Emphasis also has been placed on preparing the workforce companies will need in the future. That requires solid educational opportunities as well as joint work/study programs.
Kentucky offers eight public colleges and universities, each with specialties that cater to different business needs and all of which provide advanced training. In addition, more than 25 nonprofit, private sector colleges and universities are located strategically throughout the state to educate and train the workforce of the future.
To cater specifically to changing workforce needs, the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) features 16 colleges in 70 locations throughout Kentucky that provide excellent educational and workforce preparation options for student in the state.
A statewide apprentice program combining education and actual workplace experience. KY FAME is a collaboration among Kentucky businesses and educational institutions to train the workforce of the future.
Students attend classes two days per week and work on the job three days per week, with the goal of obtaining an Advanced Manufacturing Technician certification. Those who complete the program may start work immediately or transition to a four year college or university – with no debt.
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