South Western Kentucky Announces SWK IGNITE

07/11/2022

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A partnership to assist K-12 students successfully launch their careers with regional businesses.

The South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council is excited to announce the creation of SWK IGNITE. This new 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.

SWK EDC Associate Director Tony Prim commented, “SWK IGNITE will help regional students gather information and receive education focused on career fields and opportunities in advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, automotive manufacturing, welding, maintenance technicians, robotics, electronics, logistics, aviation mechanics, electric vehicle manufacturing, and more.  I am thrilled that we are already seeing a positive response to this effort as our strategic partners have really stepped up to bring this initiative to fruition.”

Specific activities will 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.  

With regional wages averaging over $16 per hour for entry level positions including generous benefit packages, the SWK region offers tremendous career opportunities in one of the over sixty regional manufacturers in automotive, advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, distribution, aerospace, chemicals, and more.

This combination of a young, diverse, and skilled workforce is fueling the region’s continued growth and success supporting industries of all sizes including four industry expansions and three new industry announcements in the last 18 months.   

For questions regarding this release or the SWK EDC, please contact Carter Hendricks, Executive Director, or Tony Prim, Associate Director for Business Retention and Expansion, at 270-885-1499.