Today, the Louisville Urban League hosted a graduation for the Kentuckiana Builds construction training program (a partnership with KentuckianaWorks and the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet) at the Norton Healthcare Sports and Learning Center. This latest class puts the total number of graduates of the training at more than 500.
“Employers and training partners have to work together to recruit and prepare the men and women who will build our communities," said John Megibben, Vice President and Louisville Region Leader for Messer Construction Co. "The Louisville Urban League plays a key role in producing work-ready talent for the construction industry, and we share the value they place on innovation and community service."
Kentuckiana Builds puts an emphasis on recruiting and training members of underrepresented groups into the construction sector. Nearly 90% of Kentuckiana Builds graduates are non-white and more than a quarter are female. Currently, only around 10% of America’s construction workforce is female.
“Workforce development is a key driver in the overall movement for equity and justice framed by A Path Forward for Louisville,” said Dr. Kish Cumi Price, President and CEO of The Louisville Urban League. “Opportunity begins at home, with sustainable careers and family-supporting wages. We applaud every courageous graduate who is taking a first step toward their vision and goals for the future.”
The average starting hourly wage for Kentuckiana Builds placements in the current fiscal year is $19.65 per hour. Since the program’s inception, 362 graduates have been placed in construction employment (71%), with others choosing other career pathways. Partnership agreements exist with the Indiana Kentucky Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters and Jefferson Community and Technical College, which allow participants to accelerate their progress toward apprenticeships or additional credentialing.
For more information, visit KentuckianaBuilds.org.
