South Western Kentucky Celebrates Local Graduates

05/24/2022

Highlights Employment Opportunities In the Region

The South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council is excited to celebrate and recognize the region’s high school and college graduates during the month of May. The SWK’s regional schools will continue celebrating graduations this week. By the end of May, over 1,000 high school students will have graduated from Christian, Todd, and Trigg Counties including Fort Campbell.

Carter Hendricks, Executive Director, stated, “We recognize that graduation is an exciting time of year as high school and college seniors begin their next steps in their adult journey. We applaud our graduating seniors and the tremendous tenacity and perseverance they have demonstrated over the past two years. We are confident that they are ready for their next step as we work hard to better connect them to information about the opportunities in South Western Kentucky.!”  

Over 50% of regional high school graduates plan to attend some level of higher education after graduation. The remainder will be choosing to enter the workforce or the military. For those entering the workforce, the SWK EDC recently participated in the inaugural Jobs Fest 2022 hosted by the West Kentucky Workforce Investment Board. 

This inaugural event highlighted workforce opportunities in the SWK region to area high school seniors who are graduating in the month of May. The purpose of Jobs Fest 2022 was to connect graduating seniors who are entering the workforce with information and connections to one of the hundreds of available jobs in our regional manufacturing and industry sector.

Nearly 30 companies participated and showcased their opportunities to over 200 students from Christian, Todd, and Trigg Counties as well as Fort Campbell.  Students had the opportunity to meet with company leadership with several interviewing and earning job opportunities because of the event. 

With regional manufacturing wages averaging $16-$18 per hour for full-time entry level positions, these opportunities represent incredible first step career building potential for area graduates. With the proper guidance and financial planning, a graduating high school senior can plan a manufacturing to millionaire pipeline as highlighted by local industry, Huhtamaki, during the Jobs Fest 2022!

Additionally, regional companies are looking for college graduates in areas such as OSHA, engineering, human resource professionals, marketing and business development professionals, chemists, executive leadership, and a variety of administrative positions. The SWK EDC, and strategic partners, continue to identify employment opportunities to highlight to our regional partners and through social media platforms.  

Additionally, any recent high school or college graduate that would like to learn about local job opportunities can contact Associate Director Tony Prim at 270-885-1499 or tprims@southwesternky.com to learn about potential opportunities and to share your resume with companies and industries who are looking for good talent!

For questions regarding this release or the SWK EDC efforts, please contact Carter Hendricks, Executive Director, at 270-885-1499.