In recognition of the 1,100 employers and approximately 3,000 apprentices who participate in a Registered Apprenticeship program across the state, Governor Matt Bevin has declared this week, November 14-18, as National Apprenticeship Week in Kentucky.
As a part of an ongoing effort to re-brand and promote apprenticeships in the Commonwealth, the Labor Cabinet launched the “Kentucky Trained.Kentucky Built.” initiative in September. According to Labor Secretary Derrick Ramsey, feedback received from business leaders and educators all across the state illustrates the growing need for skilled labor and increased awareness of apprenticeship opportunities.
Ramsey said Registered Apprenticeships aren’t new to Kentucky, but the current need for this workforce development tool is at an all-time high.
One such employer with a robust apprenticeship program is LG&E in Louisville, where there are currently 67 apprentices who are a part of the Line Maintainer apprenticeship program.
Also among the newly committed resources to apprenticeships in Kentucky is a $896,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor announced last month. Called the Apprenticeship USA State Expansion Grant Initiative, Governor Bevin successfully partnered with members of Kentucky’s Congressional Delegation to secure a piece of the $50.5 million in grants awarded nationwide.
This funding will help create a workforce pipeline to increase the number of Registered Apprentices in Kentucky by 1,300 through more targeted recruiting of employers, diversifying the occupational sectors currently being served, and providing greater outreach to underserved populations in Kentucky.
Additional information is available at http://labor.kentucky.gov.
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