The Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Development Coalition is preparing to launch a $110,000 marketing campaign in Northern Kentucky to promote careers in advanced manufacturing in the region. This effort is primarily being funded through a grant obtained by Gateway Community and Technical College.
As in other regions across the United States, advanced manufacturing companies in Northern Kentucky are seeking skilled workers to fill current open positions and to ensure a sufficient supply of talent for the future. Advanced manufacturing is a growing industry. In Northern Kentucky, it is projected that there will be more than 6,000 open manufacturing positions by the year 2022.
With this workforce opportunity and its potential impact on the region, Northern Kentucky leaders formed the AMWDC several months ago. The Coalition is being co-chaired by industry leaders, Rhonda Whitaker of Duke Energy and Mike Vogt of Mazak Corporation, and includes representatives from the Northern Kentucky Chamber, Impact NKY, Northern Kentucky Tri-County Economic Development Corporation, Skyward (formerly Vision 2015), Gateway Community & Technical College, Partners for a Competitive Workforce, the NKADD/Workforce Investment Board, Brighton Center, and the Northern Kentucky Education Council.
“We have come together to make a collective impact on this important issue for our region,” said Rhonda Whitaker, Duke Energy Kentucky’s district manager for government and community relations. “Our roots are deep here; Duke Energy itself has served this region for more than 177 years. All of us are committed to seeing a strong, growing economy for our area. Advanced manufacturing is such an important piece of that; it will continue to be a growth industry in Northern Kentucky if we can meet the industry’s workforce needs for educated, well trained workers for these high-tech opportunities.”
The Coalition has retained Rose Communications to help develop and execute the marketing campaign being launched this summer. The Coalition’s goal is two-fold:
‣ Develop a marketing campaign to increase awareness of and enrollment in the advanced manufacturing training and education programs offered by Gateway Community & Technical College. The focus initially will be on the most in-demand positions, including advanced manufacturing technicians and enhanced operators.
‣ Develop a long-term plan to raise awareness of opportunities in the field of advanced manufacturing, to change perceptions about employment today in manufacturing, and to help drive more qualified workers to apply for advanced manufacturing positions in Northern Kentucky.
From the AMWDC