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Beshear Awards Three Work Ready Communities

Gov. Steve Beshear announced Thursday that Daviess, Warren and Woodford counties have been certified as Kentucky’s first-ever Work Ready Communities, and Russell County has achieved Work Ready Community in Progress status. The new certification program from the Kentucky Workforce Investment Board and the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet assures employers that a local workforce has the talent and skills necessary to staff existing jobs and to master the innovative technologies new jobs will require.“Congratulations to these counties for becoming the first Work Ready Communities in Kentucky,” Beshear said in a statement from his office. “This designation shows employers that these counties have completed rigorous requirements and are a cut above other communities nationally when it comes to a skilled labor force. I encourage all Kentucky communities to strive for the Work Ready Community designation.”

Kentucky is the third state to begin certifying counties as Work Ready Communities based on the quality of their labor force. To become certified, communities must gather local support and commitment and apply for the Work Ready Community designation. Counties have to meet criteria in six areas including high school graduation rate, National Career Readiness Certificate holders, demonstrated community commitment, educational attainment, soft-skills development and digital literacy.

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