On January 27, 2014, Governor Steve Beshear announced the launch of WorkSmart Kentucky, an initiative aimed at matching employers with their workforce needs. WorkSmart Kentucky is comprised of professionals from the state’s Cabinet for Economic Development, Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, Labor Cabinet, and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System.  Governor Beshear hopes the program will help “maintain the Commonwealth as a key player in the global economy for years to come.” As employers know, qualified workforces are the essential factor for success.

So, what exactly can WorkSmart do for your business? Here are just of the few services the program provides:

• WorkSmart can administer applications and screen applicants for the initial start-up of a new company, company expansions, seasonal hiring, or just to fill vacant positions as they occur.

• If your company is looking to hire within specific demographic groups, such as veterans, WorkSmart can provide resources to help fund these goals.

• Workforce Assessment Centers, located throughout the state at Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) locations, can assess your employees’ compliance with current industry standards and job requirements.

• WorkSmart can provide valuable information about population, labor force, commuting patterns, employment and unemployment rates, occupational outlooks, and industry projections.

• FocusTalent, WorkSmart’s self-service job posting portal, allows employers to post job openings at no cost.

• WorkSmart provides a variety of ways to ease training costs for employers through such options as reimbursable grants and tax credits.

• WorkSmart provides free safety and health training to employers and employees through online training portals.  These short classes are self-guided, interactive, internet-based classes available to any Kentucky employer and employee with internet capability.
  Free consultative services can also help employers identify workplace hazards and violations of the Kentucky Occupational Safety and Health Program (OSHA) standards.

• WorkSmart puts a high priority on apprenticeship training systems and can help employers establish such programs.

Employers of every size should review additional information at www.worksmartkentucky.com to see how the new initiative may help their business.