Workforce Stakeholders Outline Progress of Statewide Talent Initiative

Leaders of the Statewide Workforce and Talent Team (SWATT)—a cross-sector initiative between education, workforce, economic development, and business partners—testified before the Interim Joint Committee on Economic Development and Workforce Investment on July 31 to share outcomes from Kentucky’s evolving workforce strategy.

Designed to streamline access to training, services, and resources, SWATT serves as a coordinated entry point for businesses navigating workforce challenges.

Kentucky Chamber President and CEO Ashli Watts said addressing the state’s workforce challenges will require long-term coordination and full engagement from the business community.

“When we talk about workforce, we’re really talking about the future of Kentucky’s economy,” she said.

Watts noted that SWATT is helping provide solutions for employers by aligning systems across the state and ensuring businesses have a seat at the table. “The business community is not only interested—they’re invested,” she added, pointing to active participation by more than a dozen local chambers across Kentucky.

Secretary Jeff Noel of the Cabinet for Economic Development said employers rarely approach the state asking only for training—they’re looking for a full workforce strategy. “They want to know how to attract talent, prescreen, onboard, and then train,” he said. “We need to listen first, understand where a company is in its process, and bring in the right support at the right time. That’s what SWATT is doing.”

Education and Labor Cabinet Secretary Jamie Link said the SWATT model was developed in response to lessons learned from large-scale projects. “All of our organizations were running toward the same employer, offering great services, but it was overwhelming. Now, by talking and coordinating upfront, we’re making sure businesses get what they need,” he said.

Dr. Ryan Quarles, president of Kentucky Community and Technical College System, said the system’s role as a leading workforce trainer has been strengthened by the improved coordination. “We already work with 3,000 businesses a year across our 16 colleges,” he said. “What SWATT does is collaborate and bring everyone together so that small businesses and large employers alike have a clear path to training, incentives, and resources.”

Local and Industry-Based Success

A recent success story in Pendleton County demonstrated how the SWATT model works in practice. When a company relocated its operations, SWATT partners rapidly assessed the local workforce, gathered employee skill data, and recruited a new employer to the facility, keeping most individuals employed.

The committee also heard about collaboration with the Metals Innovation Initiative (MI2), which is working collaboratively to build sector-specific workforce pipelines across one of Kentucky’s largest industries.

Watts also outlined the Chamber’s targeted efforts to remove barriers to workforce entry, including the Foundation’s hiring academies and other initiatives focused on different segments of talent. “If we get a few of these things right, like child care, housing, and reentry, we could make real progress moving more people into the workforce,” she said.