New grant provides support for area dislocated workers

When layoffs occur, it is critical for area workforce organizations to be prepared with intensive services to help those affected with the resources they need to re-enter the workforce. At the Lincoln Trail Area Development District (LTADD), where I serve as Assistant Workforce Director, part of our work on behalf of the Lincoln Trail Workforce Development Board (LTWDB) is standing ready to respond efficiently to news of layoffs.

To that end, LTWDB was recently awarded a three-year, National Dislocated Worker Grant to serve 280 workers dislocated by recent layoffs in the region. These include workers impacted by layoffs at facilities such as the BlueOval SK Battery Park in Glendale, Akebono in Elizabethtown, Kentucky Cooperage in Lebanon and Moveret in Elizabethtown. These grant funds will primarily be utilized for retraining, on-the-job-training initiatives and support services.

The primary goal of this project is to help dislocated workers return to unsubsidized employment as quickly as possible while supporting long-term economic stability for participants and their families. Priority will be placed on employment opportunities that offer competitive wages, benefits, advancement opportunities and stable working conditions.

Participants enrolled in the Employment Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant will receive
individualized services through the Kentucky Career Center – Lincoln Trail (KCC-LT) system, coordinated by LTWDB and its WIOA Direct Service Provider, Career TEAM. Working in lockstep with KCC-LT’s community partners, services will be designed to support rapid reemployment while ensuring participants have the skills and support necessary to obtain sustainable employment.

Each participant will begin with a comprehensive assessment conducted by a Career Advisor. This assessment will review the individual’s work history, transferable skills, education level, career interests and potential barriers to employment. Career Advisors will also evaluate labor market opportunities within the Lincoln Trail region to identify viable reemployment pathways aligned with local employer demand.

Based on this assessment, participants will work with their Career Advisor to develop an Individual Employment Plan (IEP) that outlines the most appropriate strategy to support rapid reemployment. Because dislocated workers enter the program with varying levels of experience and job readiness, services will be tailored to the needs of each participant rather than relying on a single program model.

Services can include resume assistance, interview preparation, labor market information, job search coaching and direct connections to employers with available positions. Depending on their situation, participants may also access short-term industry training in high-demand fields such as advanced manufacturing, transportation and logistics, healthcare, business/IT and skilled trades.

Additional opportunities may include on-the-job training placements that allow participants to gain hands-on experience while employers receive wage reimbursement support, as well as Individual Training Accounts to help cover more extensive occupational training programs tied to high-growth industries.

Participants may also receive supportive services when necessary to ensure successful participation in program activities and transition into employment. These services may include assistance with transportation, work clothing, required certifications, tools or other employment-related needs that could otherwise prevent them from completing training or accepting a job opportunity.

At the heart of this project is employer engagement. LTWDB and Career TEAM will work closely with the KCC-LT Business Solutions Team and regional employers to identify current job openings, validate training strategies and connect participants to employment opportunities. Employers will be engaged through hiring events, job matching activities and employer presentations. By maintaining strong relationships with employers across key regional industries, the workforce system will ensure that training and services remain aligned with labor market needs and that participants have direct access to employment opportunities.

By aligning services with employer needs and providing tailored support to each participant, this project will help ensure that workers impacted by recent layoffs are able to successfully transition back into the workforce.

Those interested in learning about their eligibility can fill out an interest referral found at bit.ly/43zF1Ks. Any and all questions may be directed to Kristin Reed, Executive Director for Career TEAM in the Lincoln Trail region, at kristinreed@careerteam.com.

Anthony Hellmueller serves as Assistant Workforce Director for the Lincoln Trail Area Development District. He can be reached at anthony@ltadd.org.