Companies across Kentucky invest in workforce initiatives
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 9, 2023) –Gov. Andy Beshear highlighted Kentucky’s continued investment in workforce training initiatives Thursday as he announced nearly $2 million in funds and credits to assist the training of nearly 7,000 Kentucky workers.
“One of Kentucky’s greatest strengths is its talented, skilled workforce,” said Beshear. “This funding will provide nearly 7,000 Kentuckians with the training they need to succeed. Staying competitive and building on the commonwealth’s historic economic momentum starts with our state’s talented and motivated workforce. Programs like the Bluegrass State Skills Corporation are crucial to ensuring Kentucky’s future success.”
The approvals were part of the first Bluegrass State Skills Corporation (BSSC) meeting of fiscal year 2024. Included among this month’s approvals was workforce training support for 1,000 trainees at Bowling Green Metalforming LLC and 820 trainees for Louisville Seating in Shepherdsville. Three separate hospitals also received support for over 620 trainees at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital in Somerset, 450 trainees at Clark Regional Medical Center in Winchester and 130 trainees at Bourbon Community Hospital in Paris. Other approvals include support for 250 trainees at James Marine Inc. in Paducah, 200 trainees at Dr. Schnieder Automotive Systems Inc. in Russel Springs and 200 trainees at Waystar Inc. in Louisville.
Gov. Beshear previously announced over $10 million in funding for 115 applicants throughout the state to train nearly 35,000 workers for fiscal year 2023. The state also provided over $8.4 million in funds and credits during fiscal year 2022. Those funds assisted with workforce training for more than 35,400 Kentucky employees.
The BSSC’s Grant-in-Aid (GIA) and Skills Training Investment Credit (STIC) programs assist employers throughout the commonwealth. GIA provides cash reimbursements for occupational and skills upgrade training at Kentucky businesses, while STIC offers state income tax credits for companies to offset the costs for approved training programs. Applications for both programs are accepted and considered for approval by the BSSC Board of Directors.
BSSC incentives are available to a range of operations, including manufacturing, agribusiness, nonretail service or technology, headquarters operations, state-licensed hospital operations, coal severing and processing, alternative fuel, gasification, renewable energy production and carbon dioxide transmission pipelines.