Manufacturing Month presents opportunities for career exploration 

October marks Manufacturing Month: a chance to celebrate one of the Commonwealth’s most vital industries. Across Kentucky, more than 6,000 facilities employ over 260,000 people. Right here in the Lincoln Trail region, manufacturing continues to be a driving force in our economy, offering a wealth of career opportunities.

At the Kentucky Career Center – Lincoln Trail (KCC-LT), where I serve as Regional Business Solutions Team Lead, our mission is to connect employers with qualified candidates and to connect job seekers to high-demand career opportunities. Partnering with employers in our region’s manufacturing sector plays a vital role in that mission. This October, in celebration of Manufacturing Month, we are excited to host a series of no-cost events that will bring jobseekers and manufacturers together, creating pathways to meaningful careers and helping strengthen our local workforce.

To kick off Manufacturing Month, KCC-LT hosted a Manufacturing Job Fair on Oct. 1 at American Legion Post 113 in Elizabethtown. If you missed it, a second in-person job fair will take place on Thursday, Oct. 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bardstown Civic Center. This event will connect jobseekers directly with employers offering opportunities across a wide range of roles, from human resources and maintenance to janitorial services.

Alongside our in-person events, KCC-LT is proud to offer virtual opportunities through our Let’s Talk Tuesdays series. On Oct. 7 and Oct. 21, from 1 to 3:30 p.m., we will host virtual job fairs powered by the Premier Virtual platform. These twice-monthly events allow jobseekers to submit their résumé to a variety of industries in the Lincoln Trail area and interact with employers through chat and teleconferencing features. 

In addition, the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs and Team Kentucky will also host a statewide online job fair through Premier Virtual on Monday, Oct. 15. Event hours are 10 to 11 a.m. for veterans and family members only and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for all job candidates. To learn more and register, visit kyworks.ky.gov/Career-Interests/Pages/Career-Opportunities.aspx. 

To help jobseekers prepare for job fair events like these, KCC-LT offers a variety of career services, such as résumé preparation and mock interviews, to ensure they are ready to make a strong impression. Our goal is to help you put your best foot forward when connecting with potential employers.

In addition to KCC-LT’s events, several community partners are also highlighting career opportunities in manufacturing throughout October. The Hardin County Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Manufacturing Expo on Wednesday, Oct. 8, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Pritchard Community Center in Elizabethtown. This event will give attendees the chance to connect with leading employers, explore career pathways and experience firsthand the strength of our regional manufacturing sector. The expo will take place prior to the Chamber’s monthly membership luncheon, which will include remarks from the Elizabethtown-Hardin County Industrial Foundation (EHCIF). To learn more, visit hardinchamber.com. 

Speaking of EHCIF, the foundation is partnering with local schools to provide Manufacturing Month programming that introduces students to the many opportunities within the industry. Now in its third year, this annual initiative gives high school students the chance to tour manufacturing facilities, while middle school students gain insight through on-campus visits from area employers. These experiences help spark interest in manufacturing careers and build awareness of the vital role the sector plays in our community.

Manufacturing Month is about more than just recognizing the strength of the industry; it’s about building connections, opening doors and inspiring the next generation of talented employees. Alongside our community partners, we at KCC-LT are proud to highlight the many ways manufacturing drives opportunity and growth across the Lincoln Trail region. 

To stay up to date on all of the upcoming events hosted by KCC-LT and learn about the resources we offer job seekers and employers alike, visit ltcareercenter.org. 

Amanda Dixon serves as Regional Business Solutions Team Lead for the Kentucky Career Center - Lincoln Trail. She can be reached at amanda.dixon@workforceinit.com.