Sep. 12- Kentucky Workforce Center Executive Director LaKisha Miller and Board Chair Amanda Huddleston
LEXINGTON, KY – The Rotary Club of Lexington held its weekly meeting on Thursday, September 12, at The Mane on Main, Chase Bank building on Main St. The guest speakers were LaKisha Miller and Amanda Huddleston with a Fireside Chat: Empowering Kentucky’s Workforce – Leading the Way in Talent Development.
This meeting will also be on Zoom. For the Zoom link please email, [email protected].
If you would like to have lunch, please contact [email protected] to reserve your meal.
Join Workforce Center Executive Director LaKisha Miller and Board Chair Amanda Huddleston as they discuss the current landscape of Kentucky’s workforce. Learn how the Kentucky ChamberWorkforce Center is spearheading initiatives to help the private sector take the lead in developing strong talent pipelines. Gain insights into innovative programs and strategies that are shaping the future of workforce development in the state.LaKisha Miller is the Executive Director of the Kentucky Chamber Foundation’s Workforce Center, spearheading transformative initiatives for over five years. A tireless advocate for Kentucky’sworkforce, she contributes significantly to state and national workforce development. LaKisha’s impactful leadership is recognized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, where she serves as a Workforce Fellow and co-chair of the Jobs and Workforce Data Network. Her commitment to advancing employer-led workforce systems has positioned her as a national leader, earning accolades for her dedication and achievements in guiding the nation toward robust workforce solutions. Amanda Huddleston, SHRM-CP, is the President of People Plus, a woman & family-owned staffing and workforce solutions provider in Kentucky that has been a Best Place to Work for the past 12 years. She is the current Chair of the Kentucky Chamber Workforce Center, the 2024 Immediate Past Chair of the Kentucky Society of HR Management, and has been a Rotarian since 2005. In her 20 years within the HR profession, Amanda has been an advocate for positive, safe workplace cultures and helping our Kentucky businesses and workforce have the tools to succeed.
Rotary in Review
WORKING TO MAKE KENTUCKY’S WORKFORCE STRONGER
Last week’s speaker was LaKisha Miller, Executive Director of the Kentucky Chamber Foundation Workforce Center. The session was moderated by Workforce Center Chair and fellow Rotarian, Amanda Huddleston. The Workforce Center was established in 2017 to empower Kentucky’s workforce and lead the way in talent development. Miller said that workforce development is a top priority for the state. The Workforce Center was established by former Chamber President Dave Adkisson and it was the first center of its kind in the country.
She said the good news is that Kentucky has rebounded from COVID-19 with two million jobs created since the end of the pandemic. However, it is still hard to find quality talent. Workforce participation is measured by those who are sixteen or older who are not institutionalized or in the military and who are actively looking for work. Miller said that Kentucky has struggled the past twenty years in this area, with participation hovering at 57 percent; the national average is 62 percent. During that time the state’s population has grown by 2 percent while some neighboring states have grown by 18 percent. The Workforce Center’s focus is twofold: reducing barriers to employment by those who have been incarcerated or convicted of drug-related offenses and attracting more talent to the state.
Miller talked about several programs that assist employers in increasing the talent pipeline. The Employer Academy is a three-day program that focuses on recruiting and retaining recovering addicts. The how-to-do-it program has been presented to 100 employers and collectively they have hired 500 recovering addicts or formerly incarcerated individuals. She also mentioned the Fair Chance Academies that are being developed to assist in hiring veterans and immigrants. Ninety-seven percent of the businesses in the state are classified as small businesses and the academies help leverage education among small business owners.
Miller said that strategic partnerships are critical. The Talent Pipeline Management program is the first public/private partnership involving the National Chamber of Commerce, the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet, SHRM-CP, Goodwill Industries, and the Kentucky Hospital Association. She emphasized that it is critical for businesses to connect with the local and state Chamber, community and technical colleges, and local school districts. For example, the Bus to Business program provides transportation for school students to visit local businesses to learn more about career and trade opportunities. The Educators to Industry program is a partnership between business and industry and teachers to inform them about career opportunities that do not necessarily require a college degree. Currently, the program focuses on the construction and distilling industries, with the logistics, aviation, and health care industries soon to be added. The real purpose is to educate the educators about the myriad job opportunities available.
Miller concluded her remarks by touching on artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on the workforce and businesses. She said it is here to stay and it is rapidly changing the skill sets that will be needed in the future. Her focus is to help businesses to understand AI better and to remain competitive. More conversations are needed with business leaders about critical workforce challenges (besides AI) that include, among other topics, transportation and child care issues. The Kentucky Chamber Foundation Workforce Center is working to make Kentucky’s workforce stronger.
– Paul B. Chewning
