Lloyd Memorial High School, in partnership with Supply Chain OKI (SCOKI)/Career Aspirations and a coalition of regional employers and workforce organizations, announced the 2026–2027 Lloyd Memorial High School Supply Chain Pre-Apprenticeship Pilot Program, an innovative initiative designed to prepare students for rewarding careers in supply chain, logistics, manufacturing, and related industries.
The pilot program brings together Lloyd Memorial High School, Legion Logistics, Supply Chain OKI (SCOKI)/Career Aspirations, Northern Kentucky Area Development District (NKADD), NaviGo, and BE NKY Growth Partnership to create a structured school-to-career pathway for graduating seniors.
The program’s inaugural cohort will include five Lloyd Memorial High School seniors, providing them with the knowledge, credentials, work-based learning experiences, and support services needed to successfully transition from high school into high-demand careers.
“Today’s employers are seeking young professionals who possess both technical knowledge and strong workplace skills,” said Jesse Simmons, President of Supply Chain OKI (SCOKI). “This pilot is about much more than helping students find a job—it’s about creating sustainable career pathways while developing the next generation of talent for our region’s growing supply chain and manufacturing industries.”
Preparing Students for Career Success
The program will provide selected students with comprehensive career preparation that includes:
• Workplace readiness and professional skills training
• Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification
• Supply chain and manufacturing career exploration
• Paid work-based learning and pre-apprenticeship experiences
• Career coaching and mentoring
• Financial literacy education
• Wraparound support services
• Employment placement assistance
• Transportation assistance during the first 90 days of employment, subject to funding availability
The program addresses one of the region’s most pressing workforce challenges: connecting young people with meaningful career opportunities while helping employers build a reliable pipeline of entry-level talent.
A Collaborative Community Investment
Each partner organization will play a critical role in the pilot’s success. Supply Chain OKI will coordinate program implementation, employer engagement, career coaching, and funding development. Lloyd Memorial High School will identify participating students, align academic requirements with work-based learning opportunities, and support student success throughout the program.
Employer partners will provide workplace experiences, mentorship, and real-world learning opportunities while helping shape future workforce development strategies.
Community partners — including NKADD, NaviGo, and BE NKY — will provide essential wraparound services such as workforce readiness training, interview preparation, financial literacy education, assistance with driver’s permits and licenses, personal protective equipment (PPE), transportation support, and student incentives.
Addressing Barriers to Employment
Recognizing that transportation remains one of the greatest obstacles facing first-time workers, the program includes transportation assistance during participants’ first 90 days of employment whenever funding is available.
Students who successfully complete the program and secure employment may also receive a $300 Employment Success Stipend to encourage financial stability and support the opening of a personal savings or checking account.
Looking Ahead
The pilot is scheduled to launch in October 2026, with student recruitment and selection taking place in September. Throughout the school year, students will participate in classroom instruction, industry-recognized credentialing, employer engagement, mentoring, and hands-on work experiences designed to prepare them for long-term career success.
Partners envision the Lloyd Memorial pilot becoming a scalable model that can expand throughout Northern Kentucky and the Greater Cincinnati region, connecting more students with high-demand careers while helping employers meet workforce needs.
“This initiative represents what can happen when education, business, workforce organizations, and community partners work together with a shared vision,” Simmons said. “Together, we’re building stronger career pathways, stronger businesses, and stronger communities.”
Organizations interested in supporting the program through sponsorships, funding, mentorship, or employer participation are encouraged to contact Supply Chain OKI.
BE NKy Growth Partnership