Empowering Talent Through Education and Training

Our region is dedicated to cultivating a skilled workforce through strong educational institutions and targeted training programs. This commitment to education and workforce development ensures that businesses have access to a steady pipeline of qualified professionals ready to meet the demands of any industry.

Prepared for Business. Powered by Potential

Strong Academic Institutions:

Western Kentucky University (WKU): Located in Bowling Green, WKU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including engineering, business, and health sciences. The university’s emphasis on applied research and industry partnerships prepares students for real-world challenges.
Hopkinsville Community College (HCC): Part of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS), HCC provides associate degrees, diplomas, and certificate programs tailored to regional workforce needs. The college collaborates closely with local industries to design curricula that align with current job market requirements.
Murray State University: A nationally recognized institution offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in fields like business, engineering, agriculture, and education. MSU fosters innovation and industry partnerships to enhance career opportunities for graduates.

Specialized Training Programs:

Kentucky Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (KY FAME): A partnership of statewide employers aimed at creating a pipeline of highly skilled workers. Students receive hands-on and classroom training for advanced manufacturing jobs, ensuring they are job-ready upon completion.
Registered Apprenticeship Programs: Offered through the Kentucky Career Center, these programs help businesses develop their workforce by providing structured on-the-job training combined with classroom instruction. This approach increases employee retention and fills hard-to-fill positions.
HOPFAME is the HCC chapter of FAME USA and is a partnership of regional manufacturers whose purpose is to implement apprentice-style training to create a pipeline of highly-skilled workers. The concept offers a five-semester college degree program that matches higher education with continuous real-world experience.

Military Transition Support:

Fort Campbell Transition Assistance Program: Supports soldiers transitioning to civilian careers by connecting them with local training and employment opportunities. This initiative enriches the regional workforce with disciplined and skilled individuals ready to contribute to various industries.
(IMM Program) Industrial Maintenance and Mechatronics: The Industrial Maintenance and Mechatronics (IMM) program will provide foundational skills for a high-wage, high-demand career in manufacturing roles which include installation, maintenance, and repair of machinery and related technologies. This face-to-face training will focus on math, electricity, motor controls, and essential skills necessary for maintaining industrial equipment. Students who successfully complete the program will earn two academic certificates and three nationally-recognized Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) silver micro-credentials. The IMM training lab will be located in the SSG Glen H. English Jr. Army Education Center at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Pending approval, the program will be a US Army Career Skills Program (CSP) providing training to soldiers who are transitioning out of the military into civilian careers. While we expect the majority of program participants to be soldiers, spouses, and dependents, we will also market the program to civilians including those who may be unemployed, underemployed, single parents, displaced homemakers, or low-income individuals in our region. All participants who are admitted into the program will have the interest and aptitude to perform to the high standards needed in industrial maintenance and mechatronics jobs.

Workforce Development Initiatives:

WorkSWK Web Page: An online resource launched by the South Western Kentucky EDC to connect residents with life-changing opportunities and assist businesses with their workforce solutions. The platform features a database of regional manufacturers, job training resources, and profiles of key manufacturing sectors.
TVA Workforce Invest Grant: Awarded to the South Western Kentucky EDC to support collaborative efforts in training and education. The grant focuses on creating more opportunities for military members seeking civilian careers in the region, enhancing the local talent pool.
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).

Strong Academic Institutions:

Western Kentucky University (WKU): Located in Bowling Green, WKU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including engineering, business, and health sciences. The university’s emphasis on applied research and industry partnerships prepares students for real-world challenges.
Hopkinsville Community College (HCC): Part of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS), HCC provides associate degrees, diplomas, and certificate programs tailored to regional workforce needs. The college collaborates closely with local industries to design curricula that align with current job market requirements.
Murray State University: A nationally recognized institution offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in fields like business, engineering, agriculture, and education. MSU fosters innovation and industry partnerships to enhance career opportunities for graduates.

Specialized Training Programs:

Kentucky Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (KY FAME): A partnership of statewide employers aimed at creating a pipeline of highly skilled workers. Students receive hands-on and classroom training for advanced manufacturing jobs, ensuring they are job-ready upon completion.
Registered Apprenticeship Programs: Offered through the Kentucky Career Center, these programs help businesses develop their workforce by providing structured on-the-job training combined with classroom instruction. This approach increases employee retention and fills hard-to-fill positions.
HOPFAME is the HCC chapter of FAME USA and is a partnership of regional manufacturers whose purpose is to implement apprentice-style training to create a pipeline of highly-skilled workers. The concept offers a five-semester college degree program that matches higher education with continuous real-world experience.

Military Transition Support:

Fort Campbell Transition Assistance Program: Supports soldiers transitioning to civilian careers by connecting them with local training and employment opportunities. This initiative enriches the regional workforce with disciplined and skilled individuals ready to contribute to various industries.
(IMM Program) Industrial Maintenance and Mechatronics: The Industrial Maintenance and Mechatronics (IMM) program will provide foundational skills for a high-wage, high-demand career in manufacturing roles which include installation, maintenance, and repair of machinery and related technologies. This face-to-face training will focus on math, electricity, motor controls, and essential skills necessary for maintaining industrial equipment. Students who successfully complete the program will earn two academic certificates and three nationally-recognized Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) silver micro-credentials. The IMM training lab will be located in the SSG Glen H. English Jr. Army Education Center at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Pending approval, the program will be a US Army Career Skills Program (CSP) providing training to soldiers who are transitioning out of the military into civilian careers. While we expect the majority of program participants to be soldiers, spouses, and dependents, we will also market the program to civilians including those who may be unemployed, underemployed, single parents, displaced homemakers, or low-income individuals in our region. All participants who are admitted into the program will have the interest and aptitude to perform to the high standards needed in industrial maintenance and mechatronics jobs.

Workforce Development Initiatives:

WorkSWK Web Page: An online resource launched by the South Western Kentucky EDC to connect residents with life-changing opportunities and assist businesses with their workforce solutions. The platform features a database of regional manufacturers, job training resources, and profiles of key manufacturing sectors.
TVA Workforce Invest Grant: Awarded to the South Western Kentucky EDC to support collaborative efforts in training and education. The grant focuses on creating more opportunities for military members seeking civilian careers in the region, enhancing the local talent pool.
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).

A well-educated and highly skilled workforce is the cornerstone of economic growth and business success. South Western Kentucky’s commitment to education and workforce development ensures that companies have access to the talent they need to thrive in a competitive marketplace.