Ky. receives $896,000 federal grant to increase number of Registered Apprentices by 1,300

Grant from U.S. Department of Labor

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 24, 2016) — Kentucky will receive a $896,600 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to create a workforce pipeline that will increase the number of Registered Apprentices by 1,300. Part of the goal is to increase numbers among women, minorities, people ages 16-24, 45 and older, veterans and people with disabilities.

Funds are part of $50.5 million in grant awards to 37 states.

“In Kentucky we recognize the value of apprenticeships and the vital role they play as the commonwealth works to become the manufacturing hub of excellence in America,” said Gov. Bevin. “Employers across the state are in need of skilled laborers, and this funding will help train a workforce ready to fill that need. By re-committing ourselves to fully embracing the power of apprenticeships, we place ourselves in the best position to move Kentucky forward.”

Called the ApprenticeshipUSA State Expansion Grant Initiative, this is the second phase of the Dept. of Labor’s strategy to diversify Registered Apprenticeships into new sectors and engage under-served populations. According to the U.S. Dept. of Labor, the grant initiative is intended to:

• Help states advance Registered Apprenticeship as a workforce development strategy and post-secondary education career pathway that maintains the nation’s strong, adaptable, and highly skilled workforce.
• Support integrated, statewide apprenticeship strategies and state capacity to engage industry and meet the demand for new programs in both traditional and non-traditional industries such as IT, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, building trades, cybersecurity and business services.
• Catalyze state innovations to significantly increase Registered Apprenticeship opportunities for all American workers, particularly underrepresented populations in apprenticeship including opportunity youth, women, communities of color, Native Americans, and persons with disabilities, and taking steps to facilitate their successful completion of apprenticeship programs.