The Kentucky Chamber Workforce Center visited Maysville recently to discuss a new system coming to Kentucky to help address workforce needs, Talent Pipeline Management Academies.
Kentucky businesses cite workforce as a top priority for success, but despite their efforts they continually struggle to find and retain employees with the skills they need.
Because of initiatives to solve the state’s workforce crisis by the Kentucky Chamber Workforce Center, the U.S. Chamber Foundation and W.K. Kellogg Foundation, chose Kentucky as one of three states to create Talent Pipeline Management Academies, an initiative created by the U.S. Chamber Foundation.
Beginning in May, in partnership with the Kentucky Department of Workforce Investment, the Kentucky Chamber’s Workforce Center is traveling the state to discuss TPM and share information about the program and how its tools and resources can support the efforts of local communities, businesses, and workforce leaders.
Over the next two years, the Kentucky Chamber Workforce Center will hold meetings to develop strategies to improve Kentucky’s workforce issues. Participating employers, employer-led associations and education providers will receive training and will build partnerships while using a demand-driven concept in order to connect employees and employers.
Also, the Workforce Center will identify workforce champions in communities across Kentucky to serve as TPM project managers and TPM class participants.
“Through the TPM Process, employers will play an expanded role as end customers of the Workforce and Education System,” said Kentucky Chamber Workforce Center Executive Director Beth Davisson. “This effort will allow Kentucky the opportunity to better understand the job projections and needs of business so we can better recruit, train and retain the right talent for the right jobs at the right time.”
“For the economy to continue to thrive, it’s critical for local businesses to be leaders in helping develop a 21st century workforce,” said Cheryl Oldham, senior vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Center for Education and Workforce. “Yesterday’s education systems aren’t meeting the needs of today’s learners and tomorrow’s workers. The TPM State-Based Academy will empower state, local, and industry leaders to tackle this problem. By coming together to develop a statewide strategy for closing the skills gap, business leaders will be equipped with the tools they need to hire and develop a strong workforce.”
For more information about the Talent Pipeline Management Initiative or ways to get involved, please contact Beth Davisson, executive director of the Kentucky Chamber Workforce Center, at [email protected].
