Home » ‘Kentucky Trained. Kentucky Built.’ apprenticeship program officially launched

‘Kentucky Trained. Kentucky Built.’ apprenticeship program officially launched

More than 1,000 Ky. employers have apprenticeship programs

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 7, 2016) — Gov. Matt Bevin and Labor Sec. Derrick Ramsey today announced the launch of the “Kentucky Trained. Kentucky Built.” apprenticeship campaign. This initiative sets forth a goal of helping new program sponsors tap into the potential that apprenticeships have for their workforce needs.

“In our efforts to make Kentucky the manufacturing hub of excellence in America, we recognize the value of apprenticeships and their ability to help us achieve this goal,” said Bevin. “While a significant number of employers in Kentucky already realize the potential in apprenticeships, this initiative will seek to devote more resources and identify new industries where apprenticeships can play a pivotal role. This will be essential in addressing the workforce needs of employers in the commonwealth.

“Apprenticeships provide career pathways for those just entering the workforce as well as increased opportunities for those looking to expand their career track,” he said. “This is why the apprenticeship model’s ‘Grow Your Own’ approach will be a crucial tool for employees and employers alike. The future of workforce development looks bright in the commonwealth. By re-committing ourselves to fully embracing the power of apprenticeships, we are placing ourselves in the best position to move Kentucky forward.”

The campaign will commit new energy and resources to providing technical and marketing expertise toward this initiative and enable the Labor Cabinet to better identify and bring together key stakeholders who might benefit from a local apprenticeship pipeline. As a key priority to improve Kentucky’s manufacturing capabilities, this idea reflects a recommitment to harness the hard work and ingenuity of Kentucky’s job creators and job-seekers through apprenticeships to help solve the commonwealth’s workforce challenges.

“The Labor Cabinet is in an important role to serve as a conduit to link employers who need skilled labor with individuals who are looking for a great career,” said Ramsey. “Once employers, high schools and postsecondary institutions at the local level begin to collaborate and streamline efforts to create career pathways, communities all across the Commonwealth will be better positioned to thrive in today’s economy.

“Today’s announcement should serve as an important reminder to employers and potential apprentices about the incredible career opportunities that apprenticeships can provide,” he said. “I look forward to continuing to engage with career-seekers and employers across the state to remind them that the Labor Cabinet is a resource that they should utilize for everything apprenticeship related.  Accordingly, we will continue to work hand-in-hand with employers to ensure that we are doing everything possible to help them meet their workforce goals and move this state forward.”

There are currently about 1,100 employers across Kentucky with registered apprenticeship programs that employ nearly 3,000 apprentices in various industries. While the majority of these programs exist in traditional industries, a number of employers in today’s economy have turned to apprenticeships to fill vital advanced manufacturing positions that require years of careful mentorship.

Apprenticeship programs typically range from one to five years in length, but the majority of programs are four years long. For each year of the apprenticeship, the apprentice will receive about 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and a required minimum of 144 hours of related classroom instruction. The Labor Cabinet works with each company to craft a customized curriculum that is specific to each employer’s needs. At the completion of the training program, the apprentice receives a nationally recognized certification.