Upskilling resources abundant for Lincoln Trail employers 

When it comes to improving your business, recruiting fresh talent can be a great asset. But, with recruiting expenses, the loss of productivity that comes with onboarding and the institutional knowledge lost when employees leave, upskilling and internal training to retain employees can be a smart option for employers. 

Here in the Lincoln Trail region, employers are building intentional pathways for existing workers to advance, recognizing that internal talent development is the most reliable solution to ongoing labor shortages and the region’s long-term economic growth. Employers are using upskilling as a retention strategy, with training being part of the company culture rather than a one-off. 

Upskilling is the process of training existing employees with new skills that support the organization. Maybe it is a photography class for a human resource staff member to better capture business events for corporate messaging. Or, it could be project management training for administrative team members to help them support projects. While upskilling can present challenges for employers, the retention of invested employees with long-term knowledge is a trade-off worth making. 

There are many resources available for employers to ramp up their incumbent worker training capabilities. For example, The Kentucky Career Center - Lincoln Trail (KCC-LT) offers Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) and short-term credential programs. By connecting with KCC-LT, employers can get help with assessing training needs, identifying funding sources, connecting with training partners, enrolling workers in short-term credential programs and coordinating soft-skill and leadership development workshops.

In addition, the Lincoln Trail Workforce Development Board (LTWDB), which provides oversight of KCC-LT, provides IWT services, customized training funding, layoff aversion reskilling programs, work-based learning pathways and supportive services to help employees complete training, covering costs such as transportation, testing fees and job-related needs. The LTWDB, through IWT programs, has partnered with healthcare providers and manufacturing companies to deliver leadership, compliance and human resources training.

Employers can also be directed to apprenticeship programs, which offer career progression, internal cross-training, supervisor and team leader development, advanced manufacturing and industrial maintenance pipelines and information technology and cybersecurity reskilling. To learn more, visit kyworks.ky.gov. 

Regional educational institutions are also major players in upskilling and internal training services. Many regional employers partner directly with Elizabethtown Community and Technical College’s Workforce Solutions, Western Kentucky University or other training providers to build customized internal academies. Training can be designed around an employer’s own equipment, processes and skill needs. Present partnerships include areas of industrial maintenance, CDL, logistics, manufacturing technology, leadership and frontline supervision and safety and compliance.

Local community colleges can also leverage KCTCS TRAINS funding to partner with companies who invest in their workforce to develop and provide in-depth, customized employee training at a fraction of the cost, allowing companies to train, retain and upskill more Kentucky workers. To learn more, visit workforce.kctcs.edu/trains.aspx. 

The Bluegrass State Skills Corporation (BSSC), a state-level workforce training incentive program managed by the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, is also a trusted resource. The program offers both a Grant-in-Aid incentive, which provides reimbursements to Kentucky businesses for occupational and skills upgrade training, as well as the Skills Training Investment Credit, a state income tax credit for companies that incur approved training costs.

BSSC offers a way for local employers to invest in their existing workforce – not just hire new people – to build skill depth, stay competitive and retain good employees. To learn more, visit newkentuckyhome.ky.gov/workforce/BSSC. 

By investing in employee training and upskilling programs, regional employers can not only strengthen their teams but also build a culture of growth and opportunity. Upskilling helps employees advance, keeps talent local and positions companies to remain competitive in a variety of industries. 

Employers ready to grow their team’s skills or explore training support can connect with KCC-LT by visiting one of their offices, including locations in Elizabethtown, Bardstown, Lebanon, Leitchfield and an access point in Fort Knox, or by visiting ltcareercenter.org. 

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