Regional leaders celebrate successes of SWK IGNITE!

08/26/2024

In 2022, the South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council launched SWK IGNITE.  The initiative is a partnership between the South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council, regional public schools, Pennyrile Industrial Managers Association (PIMA), SHRM-WKY, regional Chambers of Commerce, West Kentucky Workforce Investment Board, and Hopkinsville Community College.

Since launching SWK IGNITE, regional partners have implemented a variety of strategies to better assist students with career learning opportunities, development of job skills, and opportunities to maximize their career earnings when entering the workforce.  

Specific activities include tours of regional industries, industry in the classroom presentations, career days, internships and apprenticeships, and an annual spring job fair for graduating students that are not planning to attend higher education or join the military after high school.   The initiative also closely collaborates with programs like Hopkinsville Community College’s Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (HOPFAME).

SWK EDC Associate Director Tony Prim commented, “Since the launch of SWK IGNITE, we have seen increased interest in the opportunities provided in manufacturing, engineering, trades, and other local high-demand job opportunities.  Because of the strong partnership with our regional education and workforce partners, we continue to help young people ignite their career paths toward a brighter future.”

 Christian County Public Schools Gateway Academy is at record enrollment.

 Trigg County Public Schools recently reopened their renovated Career and Tech Center.

 Hopkinsville Community College’s HOPFAME program boasts record enrollment and over 85% successful job placement in manufacturing and industry.

 Todd County Public School is seeing strong interest in its Advanced Manufacturing Training Center programs.

 The 3rd annual Jobs Fest (May 2024) saw tremendous interest with nearly 100 graduating seniors in attendance with several earning job opportunities as a result.

Novelis Guthrie Plant Manager and Pennyrile Industrial Manager Association President, Tom Lilienthal shared, "Our ability to fulfill our sustainability commitments to drive recycling is, in large part, thanks to our talented workforce, valued customers, and esteemed state and community partners such as SWK EDC. We have seen the impact of SWK's IGNITE program creating workforce solutions and pathways to rewarding careers in our region. Novelis is proud of the rich 40-plus-year history in The Commonwealth of Kentucky, and is grateful for programs like SWK IGNITE, HOPFAME, and more, that help ensure shared and continued success."

With regional wages averaging nearly $18 per hour for entry-level positions including generous benefit packages, the SWK region offers tremendous career opportunities in one of the over seventy-five regional manufacturers in automotive/ EV, advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, distribution, aerospace, chemicals, and more.

The SWK IGNITE talent pipeline is critical to the region’s success and to the company’s future success as we connect to a young, diverse, and skilled workforce through our regional education partners.  For questions regarding this release or how the SWK EDC can help any company connect to the IGNITE talent pipeline, please contact Carter Hendricks, Executive Director, or Tony Prim, Associate Director for Business Retention and Expansion, at 270-885-1499.