The South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council, as well as its stakeholders, now have in their possession a considerable workforce folio — one that highlights major points about the region.
During Monday’s meeting at The Crusty Pig in Hopkinsville, SWK EDC Executive Director Carter Hendricks unfolded a truncated version of what is known as the Tennessee Valley Authority Talent Accelerator Report — which stems from an extensive, year-long pilot program and analysis of Trigg, Christian and Todd counties.
In it, Hendricks said, were three critically recommended strategies that should be further addressed in this area’s future:
1) Align talent recruitment efforts to strengthen the region’s workforce pipeline, attract skilled workers, and support educational programs with educational requirements to promote economic growth.
2) Improve workforce participation by addressing childcare barriers through a comprehensive assistance program, partnerships and local providers, and offer workforce development for childcare providers.
And 3) focus on retaining entry-level workers, while providing career advancement opportunities to reduce turnover, enhance job satisfaction, and build a stable, loyal workforce.
Hendricks also noted the report asked for the continued efforts toward strategic workforce housing solutions, promotion of work/life balance strategies, and addressing transportation barriers getting to and from good employment opportunities — be it first, second, or third-shift work.
The report, Hendricks added, also identified at least five employment sectors that, for a myriad of factors, are a “best fit” for the tri-county area, and it includes automotive, chemicals, defense & aerospace, agriculture, and distribution/logistics.
Hendricks said the real message is that all three communities — and especially Trigg County’s I-24 Business Park, Christian County’s Commerce Park II and Todd County’s John E. Walton Business Park — are all primed for these types of industries and careers, including current and future businesses, while advanced manufacturing needs to be in the conversation.
In other SWK EDC news:
— A vendor summit has been scheduled for Novelis in Todd County, and it’s planned for 9 AM until 1 PM, March 12, at Guthrie’s Old Opry Event Center. Used to connect local and regional vendors with a static organization, Hendricks said one for Hopkinsville’s Ascend Elements will be scheduled at a later time.
— And at the close of December, unemployment remained relatively stable in the region: Christian County at 5.8%, Todd County at 4.8%, Trigg County at 5.4%. The Kentucky average was 5.2%, and the national average was 4.1%.
