FRANKFORT, Ky. The Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet (KEWDC) today announced the transition of the Division of Apprenticeship from the Kentucky Labor Cabinet to KEWDC’s Office of Employment and Training. The division, in cooperation with the U.S. Office of Apprenticeship and Training, oversees the Commonwealth’s registered apprenticeship program.

Kentucky’s registered apprenticeship program is rapidly becoming a national model in preparing individuals to successfully enter the workforce. Today’s administrative move will build upon this momentum by harnessing KEWDC’s existing statewide network to connect employers with potential employees and to provide increased apprenticeship opportunities for Kentuckians.

“This action will ensure that our registered apprenticeship program continues to be an invaluable plank within the overall platform of workforce development in the Commonwealth,” noted Gov. Matt Bevin in his executive order. “It allows us to expand our growing apprenticeship program to its fullest potential by pairing it with the infrastructure and resources of the Office of Employment and Training within the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.”

Today’s announcement follows a call from Gov. Bevin earlier this year urging the Labor Cabinet, Public Protection Cabinet and the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet to partner on ways to further enhance workforce development efforts within the Commonwealth.

“This is a great day for workers and employers in the Commonwealth,” said Education and Workforce Development Cabinet Secretary Derrick Ramsey. “By bringing the Division of Apprenticeship over to the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, it will allow us to leverage resources that train Kentucky citizens and integrate them into the workforce. This move will enhance the pipeline between education and workforce to give employers quicker access to a large pool of skilled employees.”

Currently, there are over 3,000 apprentices in Kentucky in nearly 240 different programs representing 109 different occupations.

The Registered Apprenticeship model is a flexible, employer-driven approach that provides high-quality job training and produces skilled, competent employees for Kentucky employers. The division is responsible for registering apprenticeship programs that meet federal standards, issuing nationally recognized and portable Certificates of Completion to apprentices, and promoting the development of new programs through marketing and technical assistance.

Earlier this year, the Division of Apprenticeship joined Gov. Bevin, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, the Personnel Cabinet, and the Department of Education to announce the first apprenticeship program for state-employed social service workers in the country.

Later this year, KEWDC will host the second annual Kentucky Registered Apprenticeship Summit in Louisville from Sept. 10 – 12. The goal of the summit is to bring together apprenticeship stakeholders with business, education and civic leaders from across the Commonwealth and beyond to discuss ways this proven training model is transforming the state’s workforce. For more information or to register for the summit, click here.

To view a copy of today’s executive order, click here.