SKYCTC Launches Education First Employers Program to link local businesses with trained workforce
Gov. Andy Beshear announces Education First, a new workforce development partnership between Kentucky Community and Technical College System and Kentucky companies prioritizing educational achievement and workforce development, on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023, at the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort. Pictured at the event were (from left): Mike Buckentin, Plant President-Logan Aluminum, Steven Cross, Plant Utilities Reliability Leader-Logan Aluminum, Tony Bohn, VP Chief Human Resources Officer-Med Center Health, Governor Andy Beshear, Kelcie Richart, Franklin Center Director-SKYCTC, Kaylah Hadden, SKY FAME Success Coach-SKYCTC, Meghan Watkins-, Human Resources-Logan Aluminum, Dr. Phil Neal, President/CEO – SKYCTC and Dr. Angie Harlan-SKYCTC Dean of Allied Health and Nursing.
Partnership aligns employers with Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College to close the workforce skills gap by prioritizing education and training in South Central, Kentucky.
BOWLING GREEN, KY. – Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKYCTC) is proud to partner with southern Kentucky’s leading companies to strengthen our area’s workforce while improving access to higher earning potential. Businesses in Kentucky’s key sectors including Healthcare, Manufacturing, Skilled Trades and many others that are committed to attainable education and investing in their workforce will now hold the title Education First Employer.
Companies that qualify to participate in this program share similar values and have shown a commitment to go above and beyond to support employees through education and training. To achieve the Education First Employer designation, businesses must provide tuition assistance, flexible scheduling, and offer competitive wages. These businesses must also actively partner with SKYCTC to enhance students’ employability skills and better position graduates for high earning potential in today’s economy.
“Kentucky is welcoming historic economic investments that are creating thousands of great new jobs. At the same time, we’re also seeing rising wages and record low unemployment,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “The Education First Employers initiative will make sure this rising prosperity reaches every Kentuckian where they live. It will also help us keep our promise to provide the best workforce for the increasing number of employers choosing our state to do business.”
The majority of students leaving higher education are making an impossible choice, forced to put their finances and work schedule before their pursuit of a better life. Education First Employers are working with SKYCTC to reverse this troubling trend.
"We are committed to partnering with local companies to create a thriving workforce and vibrant economic development," says SKYCTC President and CEO Dr. Phil Neal. "Prior to 2019, SKYCTC began reshaping our programs so that students would have ultimate flexibility to work while pursuing their college education. Today, The KCTCS Education First Employers program takes to scale, across the Commonwealth’s 16 community and technical colleges, this important concept of working, learning, and partnering with world-class industry partners to fill jobs quicker, educate a larger portion of Kentuckians, and increase college attainment without student loan debt."
SKYCTC now looks to expand the initiative, inviting companies already investing in workforce development to join as an Education First Employer. A full listing of current participating companies can be found at www.kctcs.edu/efe.
