System Office Overview

Category	FY 21	FY 22	Percentage Change
Projects	117	240	105%
Dollars Allocated	3,920,664	7,127,528	82%
Company Investment	2,761,545	3,770,257	37%
Enrollments	13,528	19,111	41%
New Clients	55	136	147%
Repeat Clients	57	104	82%

HIGHEST PERFORMING YEAR IN TRAINS HISTORY

With KCTCS TRAINS funding, businesses can offset thecost of eligible workforce training initiatives by up to 75%. New economic development projects are eligible for training incentives at a 100% discounted rate. KCTCS partners with companies that invest in their workforce by helping to upskill their employees, reduce recruitment and retention costs, and improve their bottom line. In fiscal year 22, KCTCS intentionally invested in the promotion of TRAINS funding opportunities. Through several marketing and public relations campaign strategies, and with the creation of a TRAINS brand, this funding opportunity has been widely promoted across the Commonwealth. As a result of this strategic marketing plan, fiscal year 2022 marks the highest performing year in TRAINS history.

PARTNERSHIPS & ONGOING INITIATIVES

Collaborative Business Outreach Team -

Together with leadership from the Education and Labor Cabinet, The Kentucky Chamber Foundation and the Cabinet for Economic Development, KCTCS has developed a community of workforce practitioners. On a bi-monthly basis, workforce professionals from across the state convene virtually to share best practices and consider collaborative approaches to major challenges. KCTCS is serving as a leader in developing a strategic approach among organizations to cross-promote resources, programs, and funding, making it significantly easier for companies to navigate the workforce ecosystem.

KYTC Statewide Partnership -

In fiscal year 22, KCTCS colleges partnered with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to train CDL drivers for critical positions across the Commonwealth. KYTC is able to refer new hires and prospective candidates to KCTCS’ federally approved programs that provide pathways to rapid skill development in this in demand career. Regardless of where KYTC has staffing needs, they can access quality programming at their local KCTCS college. To date, KCTCS has trained 21 drivers through this partnership.

 

Kentucky Chamber Foundation IT Talent Pipeline Management (TPM)-

In spring of 2022, KCTCS partnered with the KY Chamber to launch a statewide IT employer TPM collaborative to address the shortage of experienced IT professionals. This complex challenge is not as simple as aligning supply and demand since industry partners require entrylevel talent with relevant experience. 25 companies participated in the first meeting of this initiative and have outlined more than 30 in-demand positions. Participating employers will complete a comprehensive survey to prioritize their needs, and KCTCS will coordinate with the KY Chamber Foundation and other key partners to build customized solutions such as talent incubators, apprenticeships, and mentoring programs.

In September of 2021, Kentucky announced the largest economic development investment in the history of the Commonwealth. Partners Ford and SK On will add 5,000 technologically advanced battery manufacturing jobs in Glendale, KY. KCTCS, alongside Ford and SK On, is working with the Cabinet for Economic Development and the Education and Labor Cabinet to provide training resources and expertise for the project. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College and KCTCS System Office are serving on the BlueOval SK Governance Team to support various elements of the project including the design and build of a cutting-edge training center, development of recruitment strategies grounded in diversity, equity, and inclusion, comprehensive statewide communication plans and effective curriculum alignment.

Handshake is the #1 way that college students find jobs! During 2022 KCTCS embarked on a systemwide adoption of this platform, which serves as a clearinghouse for work-based learning, full, and part-time job opportunities. Over 7,000 Kentucky employers recruit postsecondary talent on Handshake. As Workforce Solutions staff meet with companies, they will now be able to provide an easy and user-friendly approach to connect employers with students throughout the system. This platform will provide first of its kind data on workbased learning engagements and offers a systematized approach to equitable employment connectivity.

Early Childhood Apprenticeship -

Access to childcare is a critical challenge that must be addressed to support increased labor force participation. KCTCS is proud to partner with the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood (GOEC) to increase the number of skilled early childhood education professionals through registered apprenticeships. KCTCS Apprenticeship Coordinators are providing supportive services such as career coaching and academic advising to students in early childhood education programs. There are currently 69 apprentices participating in this program across 11 colleges.

Economic Development Impact:

Workforce Solutions leaders at all KCTCS institutions have prioritized strengthening their partnerships with local economic development organizations. At the System Office, leadership meets regularly with the Cabinet for Economic Development to ensure that KCTCS TRAINS funding is available to new and expanding companies as they consider locating in Kentucky. As a result of this effort, in fiscal year 2022, KCTCS allocated the most TRAINS dollars in the 20-year history of the fund to support customized training for companies investing in the Commonwealth. This year, KCTCS committed more than 7 million dollars to support Economic Development projects in manufacturing and tourism. These commitments impacted the announcement of 16 projects which are projected to create nearly 12,000 jobs for Kentuckians over the next 1-5 years. Workforce Solutions looks forward to working with company representatives as their projects move forward to provide versatile talent development solutions.

Business and Industry Impact:

Workforce Solutions serves as a direct service provider to companies across Kentucky. Access to a skilled and sustainable talent pipeline is arguably the greatest challenge businesses face today. Through a consultative approach, KCTCS ensures that companies in the Commonwealth can remain competitive by training their new hires to reach full productivity more rapidly and retaining their incumbent workers through upskilling opportunities. Workforce Solutions staff also work to connect companies to relevant academic programs to support curriculum alignment, experiential learning and employer recruitment strategies.