James Atkins

This Annual Narrative for the Commonwealth of Kentucky's Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program details strategies for strengthening the state's workforce system for the program year July 2024 to June 2025. It emphasizes a collaborative approach focused on building the workforce, supporting Kentuckians by removing employment barriers, and aligning resources. Key objectives include addressing regional skill demands, increasing workforce participation, expanding work-based learning opportunities, and tackling challenges related to childcare, housing, transportation, and digital literacy to enhance economic growth and talent attraction.

The meeting commenced with introductions and the announcement that Dr. David Potter will serve as a co-lead for the workgroup. A significant portion of the discussion focused on the Workforce Pell update, noting that federal negotiated rulemaking reached consensus on regulatory text, maintaining eligibility separate from non-workforce programs, and anticipating a final rule by June 1, 2026, for a July 1, 2026 implementation. Key outcomes emphasized the need for quick state action, phased implementation, and the workgroup's role in defining criteria (high-skill, high-wage, in-demand occupations), establishing safeguards for taxpayer funds, and planning outreach. Group discussion centered on governance and program approval processes, leading to the recommendation and unanimous approval of a specific governance committee structure, including various state agencies. A data review by KYSTATS provided an overview of aligning definitions with prior key sector analysis, discussing challenges in defining 'high skill' and suggesting the adoption of definitions from successful states. Subsequent sections detail potential methodologies for defining high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand occupations, contrasting approaches taken by states like D.C., Minnesota, Nebraska, and Texas.

The meeting covered several significant discussions pertaining to workforce development initiatives. Key topics included a review of the Work Ready Communities -- Next Generation metrics, with members requested to provide feedback by October 29th. The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Workforce Readiness Taskforce provided an update on its work, emphasizing business awareness and collaboration with entities like Amazon and IBM. Updates were also given on collaboration activities with education partners regarding sector information alignment and the promotion of the Technical Details Framework from the Kentucky United We Learn Council. Furthermore, discussions included updates from the Education and Labor Cabinet, such as barriers for WIOA-focused populations, progress on the Statewide Workforce and Talent Team (SWATT) efforts, and KWIB's role in recommending the implementation framework for Workforce Pell Grants, which involves defining Credentials of Value (COV). Preparation for the upcoming full KWIB quarterly meeting on November 20th, focusing on the Strategic Plan Launch, was also covered.

The Executive Committee meeting agenda included voting on the Board Liability Policy and reviewing updates on various KWIB activities. Key discussion topics involved the Work-Ready Communities -- Next Generation project, Perkins Leadership Funds allocations, AI Workforce Readiness initiatives, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) Certification Applications. Updates from the Education and Labor Cabinet covered the Statewide Workforce and Talent Team (SWATT) efforts and State of the Workforce Funding. The meeting also included preparation discussions for the upcoming full KWIB Board Meeting scheduled for March 26th.

This kickoff meeting served as the initial discussion for the Workforce Pell Grant workgroup. Key topics included providing background on the Workforce Pell legislation, which expands Pell Grant eligibility to short-term, workforce-aligned programs, noting that final federal regulations are expected in 2026. A detailed review of KYSTATS data implementation perspectives was presented, focusing on operational complexities related to federally calculated metrics such as value-added earnings and state-defined measures like job placement and credential alignment. Discussion emphasized the need for durable, transparent data frameworks, clarified the workgroup's role in developing consensus-based recommendations on program eligibility criteria (e.g., high-wage, high-skill occupations), and noted that recommendations will be reviewed by the Kentucky Workforce Innovation Board (KWIB).