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Business and the Economy

Kentucky Chamber of Commerce on Impact of COVID on State's Workforce Participation Rate

Charles Aull, Senior Policy Analyst, Public Affairs
kychamber.com
Charles Aull, Senior Policy Analyst, Public Affairs

The number of Kentuckians in the workforce has been declining for the past two decades, but the pandemic has only worsened the worker shortage.

According to the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, the bluegrass state has the third-lowest worker participation rate in the nation.

Charles Aull is a senior policy analyst for the state Chamber and says there are a host of factors behind the low ranking.

“We look at things related to retirements, skills gaps, we look at childcare and how the lack of access to childcare could prohibit a lot of individuals from working. We look at health and substance use disorder issues which are major problems here in Kentucky,” said Aull.

Access to high-speed internet and Kentucky's high rate of incarceration also contribute to the state’s low workforce participation rate.

Kentucky’s workforce is struggling to return to pre-pandemic levels.

Following several months of gradual growth, the size of the workforce actually declined between March and June of this year.

Business and the Economy
Lisa is a Scottsville native and WKU alum. She has worked in radio as a news reporter and anchor for 18 years. Prior to joining WKU Public Radio, she most recently worked at WHAS in Louisville and WLAC in Nashville. She has received numerous awards from the Associated Press, including Best Reporter in Kentucky. Many of her stories have been heard on NPR.
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