Frankfort, Kentucky — The Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) has reported record-setting achievements in workforce training for fiscal year 2024. According to a recent report from KCTCS’ Workforce Solutions program, the system experienced significant growth across its training initiatives.
In total, KCTCS provided workforce education to more than 1,700 companies, reflecting a robust demand for specialized training tailored to meet employer needs. The report highlights a substantial increase in participation in the TRAINS program, which was enhanced by an additional $2 million investment from KCTCS President Ryan Quarles. This brings the annual investment to $7.4 million, aimed at bolstering the skills of new hires and supporting incumbent workers.
During fiscal year 2024, KCTCS partnered with Kentucky businesses on 339 TRAINS projects, marking a 37% increase from the previous year’s 248 projects. This surge generated approximately $10.87 million in gross revenue for the colleges, compared to $8.6 million in the last fiscal year. Furthermore, new clients increased by 15%, while repeat clients saw a remarkable growth of 51%.
KCTCS Vice President for Workforce and Economic Development, Jessie Schook, noted that the impressive metrics underscore the continuing demand for workforce training within Kentucky’s business community. “The numbers really speak for themselves,” Schook stated, indicating that the increase in funding has enabled KCTCS to expand its offerings effectively.
As KCTCS prepares for the 2024-2025 academic year, President Quarles expressed optimism about future collaborations. “We will continue growing these relationships and establishing collaborative solutions to solve the workforce challenges of our generation,” he said.
Despite serving only a fraction of the companies in the state, KCTCS is recognized as the leading provider of workforce training in Kentucky, with one out of every 49 jobs in the state being supported by its colleges and students.
For businesses interested in participating in workforce training programs, inquiries can be directed to Emily Sayers at the KCTCS.
