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The key has been to eliminate the bureaucracy and, in its place, offer
personalized services depending on the needs of the individual company.
To accomplish this, Governor Steve Beshear announced the creation of the
Kentucky Skills Network. The network combines the efforts of several state
government and educational institutions to provide one-stop workforce services and resources for new and existing
employers. This includes customized recruitment and training solutions, as well as implementation assistance.
Qualifying Kentucky companies are eligible for recruitment and job-screening services at no cost. Additionally,
fl exible grant funding is available to offset the costs of customized and in-house training needs and to establish
apprenticeship programs and to provide free safety and OSHA training. State tax credits are also available for
approved training programs for existing employees of qualifying companies. Last year alone, training was provided
for more than 83,000 Kentuckians in fi elds including manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, energy,
distribution, and research and development.
An Automotive Success Story
One of the most popular and effective tools used through the Kentucky Skills
Network involves grants and tax credits. One company that benefi ted from a
grant was INOAC, a Tier II supplier of instrument panels to Ford and Toyota
— two companies that contribute to Kentucky ranking third in the nation in
automotive production.
In 2009, INOAC needed to train its workforce in new production processes.
The supplier formed a partnership with the Springfi eld-Washington County
Economic Development Authority, the Kentucky Community and Technical
College System, and the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development. The Kentucky Skills Network provided
INOAC no-cost recruitment services and awarded the company a $160,000 grant to offset the cost of two years
of employee on-the-job training. INOAC was also able to secure additional training assistance from the local
community and technical college. As a result, INOAC was able to grow its Springfi eld workforce from 180 four years
ago to 330 today.
According to Kurt Krug, vice president of North American Human Resources for INOAC, business leaders
are sometimes unaware of how government agencies can help, or they may fear red tape and rejection, but he’s
impressed with Kentucky’s team approach. He notes, “Kentucky is doing some very good, creative things…the way
I see it, everyone benefi ts. It’s a true partnership.”
Today’s innovative companies require highly skilled workers —
a need that cannot be overstated. Kentucky is among those states that have
focused their efforts on supplying the workforce that current and future
companies need.