Dozens of organizations throughout Northern Kentucky work with employers to assist with identifying and training potential employees, and another tool will soon be available to bolster that effort.
Northern Kentucky Area Development District Executive Director Tara Johnson-Noem said the GROW NKY Workforce Governance Study, recently completed by Northern Kentucky University, was commissioned to focus on the existing ecosystem in the region. Officials noted partners are presently reviewing the study and discussing next steps as a means of ensuring they are optimally serving employers and the community.
“The study is really looking at all of the great resources the partners provide and just understanding how they all fit together,” Johnson-Noem said, citing the work of entities such as the Northern Kentucky Workforce Investment Board, BE NKY and the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. “We want to help local companies with the challenges they are facing hiring and finding employees.”
According to a Request for Proposal, the study sought to evaluate organizational and financial resources in Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties to determine the optimal system for delivering the talent needed to make a tangible positive impact for existing and prospective employers in ways that also enhance career opportunities and prosperity for individual job seekers.
The study also sought to examine the optimal organizational structure and funding for oversight of continued education, training and upskilling of recent graduates and adults and talent attraction to fill any deficiencies identified in the current and projected future workforce.
Florence resident Adam Finley said the study may unlock the full potential of employers and employees.
“It’s no secret there are a wide range of employers in our area trying to figure out what the formula is for getting the right people into the right places to find success,” he said. “I believe it’s all about fit – attracting the right candidates. I’m hoping this study will provide some new wrinkles that all of the organizations can use to maximize company and job seeker connections.”
Robin Brown, of Burlington, said she supports any method to bridge workforce challenges.
“This certainly can’t hurt,” she said. “We’re all in this thing together, so when we pull in one direction to focus on addressing a need, there are bound to be viable solutions. There are good people out here looking for work. We just need to fine tune their preparedness – and that’s done with training. The companies know what they’re looking for, so we have to get the candidates ready based upon that. I wish everybody the best in the process.”