Published Monday, June 3, 2024

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View the Full Report Here

We use data from Chmura Economics at the end of every month to create a report illustrating the current and future workforce demand in our 10-county region. This report helps us understand the workforce challenges we face and provides a framework for planning and measurement.

Current and Future Job Openings

As of May 2024, there are 8,674 open positions in the 10-county region, with over 89,000 open positions within a 60-mile radius in targeted sectors like construction, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, professional services, public services, transportation, distribution, and logistics.

10-Year Demand

Looking ahead, the region will need over 168,000 workers in the next decade. Here's a breakdown of some key roles:

  • 3,800+ entry-level manufacturing workers
  • 1,676 registered nurses
  • 3,977 material handlers
  • 2,901 semi-truck drivers
  • 707 welders
  • 814 industrial machinery mechanics
  • New engineers: 359 industrial, 160 mechanical, 107 civil, 64 electrical

Top Job Postings

Registered nurses top the list with 653 job postings, followed by heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers with 397 postings.

Labor Force Participation

Kentucky's labor force participation rate has improved slightly from 57.3% in March 2021 to 57.6% recently.