Governor announces program to prepare Kentuckians for high demand jobs

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentuckians seeking to enter the workforce now have free access to a new online learning program to help prepare them for good jobs in several high-demand industries.

Team Kentucky is offering free access to the Ready for Industry® program thanks to $5 million in funding awarded to the Education and Labor Cabinet through a federal Quality Jobs, Equity, Strategy and Training (QUEST) grant.

Kentucky is only the fifth state in the nation to provide free, statewide access to the program. As a result, businesses, workforce development partners, educational institutions and other organizations across Kentucky are invited to take advantage of this no-cost opportunity to enhance the skill sets of their employees, job candidates and students.

Each Ready for Industry® course is 15-20 hours of instruction designed to help jobseekers understand what it’s like to work in several high-demand industries, like manufacturing, health care, information technology, transportation, distribution and logistics and architecture and construction.

“Our economy is on fire, and Team Kentucky is committed to ensuring the record job growth we are experiencing has a skilled and ready workforce prepared to take on these new opportunities,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “This program will help many Kentuckians with the skills and knowledge needed to find a good-paying job in our rapidly growing job market.”

Ready for Industry® is designed to prepare individuals seeking work in high-demand industries by teaching them common terminology and workplace practices; career opportunities and job descriptions; current issues and trends; career pathways, education and professional certifications and workplace expectations. Throughout the learning process, participants will also have access to a support team to assist them with any questions or concerns.

“As Kentucky’s lead workforce development agency, our aim is to enhance the state’s economic landscape by developing a workforce that is not only ready but thriving in its respective industries,” Education and Labor Cabinet Secretary Jamie Link said. “Ready for Industry® provides an invaluable platform for our workforce to advance and excel in the highest-demand sectors. We are thrilled to provide this free resource as we stand with our employers and workers on their journey of growth and success.”

Organizations interested in becoming a Ready for Industry® partner can visit ReadyforIndustry.com/KY to sign up for a free account or visit their local Kentucky Career Center to gain immediate access to the program’s resources.

Individuals interested in enrolling in Ready for Industry® courses can register through any participating partner, including local Kentucky Career Centers, workforce partners, or other participating businesses or educational institutions. To register, simply visit kcc.ky.gov and follow the easy steps outlined on the website.

This fall, Ready for Industry® will further enhance its offerings with the introduction of National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) industry-recognized credentials for each sector. These credentials are highly respected and acknowledged across industries, providing participants with tangible proof of their industry-specific knowledge and skills that will enhance their employability and career prospects. This additional feature of the program further boosts its value and relevance to both organizations and individuals.

“Our mission with Ready for Industry® is to integrate industry-specific knowledge with educational paths seamlessly,” said Jerry Wooden, CEO of eDynamic Learning, the company behind Ready for Industry®. “Providing this program fully funded to Kentucky organizations reaches an even broader audience, ensuring that the future workforce is not just ready but excels in their respective fields.”

For more information on Ready for Industry® or to sign up for your free account, visit ReadyforIndustry.com/KY.

The launch of the program in Kentucky builds on the best four-year period for economic growth in state history.

Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced more than 1,000 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling nearly $32 billion in announced investments, creating more than 54,700 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth’s history.

The robust job creation has been accompanied by rising wages across the commonwealth. The average incentivized hourly wage in 2022 and 2023 topped $26 in consecutive years for the first time.

In March, Site Selection magazine ranked Kentucky third nationally and first in the South Central economic development projects per capita in its 2023 Governor’s Cup rankings. In April, Site Selection placed Kentucky second in the South Central region and top 10 nationally in its 2024 Prosperity Cup ranking, which recognizes state-level economic development agencies for their success in landing capital investment projects.

Gov. Beshear announced a “Supply Kentucky” initiative with the goal of boosting job growth, reducing costs and providing more security in the supply chains of our Kentucky companies.

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