LOUISVILLE, Ky. — During the month of October, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer will join local leaders, business owners, and workforce development providers to celebrate National Manufacturing Month. Accounting for 12% of the region’s total employment, manufacturing continues to be a major driver in the Louisville economy, with companies ranging from automotive to home appliances, machining and chemicals.
The manufacturing sector employs more than 80,000 workers regionally, working at approximately 1,400 manufacturing companies. The industry accounts for 16.5% of the region’s annual GDP, compared to 11.2% of national GDP.
“Louisville has a storied history as a manufacturing hub that it continues to benefit from today. As the industry evolves, we have expanded our skilled workforce pipeline through key partnerships with local manufacturers, Jefferson County Public Schools, and KentuckianaWorks to meet the growing need for employees with technology skills,” said Mayor Fischer. “We are excited to work with these partners and others to give our students an inside look at the broad-ranges of careers available in our strong and diverse manufacturing sector.”
In recognition of Manufacturing Month, Mayor Fischer will join employee-owned heating and cooling manufacturer and metal fabricator KCC Companies on Oct. 3 in welcoming students from local high schools and technical colleges to tour its facilities and learn about the advantages of a career in manufacturing. Mayor Fischer also will join GE Appliances next week for an announcement that will benefit the next generation of manufacturing employees.
As manufacturing grows in the Louisville region, the demand is increasing for workers who have greater skills and training. The Academies of Louisville initiative in JCPS exposes students to career options in the manufacturing industry and early training opportunities, and Kentucky Manufacturing Career Center, run by KentuckianaWorks, helps people identify career pathways that manufacturing companies have to offer and to attain new skills to advance their careers.
Last academic year, there were more than 2,000 students in manufacturing pathways in the Academies of Louisville, and KentuckianaWorks helped clients earn 618 certificates through the Kentucky Manufacturing Career Center.
KentuckianaWorks is currently offering several free training courses designed to quickly prepare people for good jobs with local manufacturing companies. They include:
- The Manufacturing Training and Employment Connection (M-TEC), an intensive, 3-week program where participants can earn multiple training certificates valued by manufacturing companies. The next class starts Oct. 7.
- The MSSC Certified Production Technician (CPT) training, a four-week course that gives people an industry-recognized credential. The next class starts Oct. 28.
KentuckianaWorks will close out Manufacturing Month with a job fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at Kentucky Manufacturing Career Center, 160 Rochester Drive. The event will include employer booths, legal aid and expungement, college admissions advisors, live music, free food, and giveaways.
To learn more visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/louisville-forward/advanced-manufacturing.
Add Comment