MI2 Part of New Kentucky Job Quality Academy Initiative from U.S. Department of Labor

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The Metals Innovation Initiative is proud to be partnering in a coalition that has been one of 16 states with cohort teams named as part of the 2023 Job Quality Academy from the U.S. Department of Labor. Kentucky’s coalition is led by the Kentucky Workforce Innovation Board. In addition to MI2, the coalition also includes KentuckianaWorks, the Kentucky State Building and Construction Trades Council, and BlueOval SK. The U.S. Department of Labor has designed and is operating the Job Quality Academy in partnership with Jobs For the Future and other national partners. The program aims to support teams as the build “the principles of a good job” into their policies and programs. The program outlines the eight key principles of a good job as including equitable recruitment and hiring; benefits; diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility as a key employer priority; empowerment and representation; job security and working conditions; organizational culture; pay; and skills and career advancement. According to Jobs For the Future, teams will "develop strategies and action plans to address inequities through a focus on improving employment opportunities and job quality across industry sectors, communities, and stakeholders. Teams will identify and test job quality practices and forms of partnerships within their communities, with an eye toward increasing economic mobility and access.” Participation in the Academy includes two 3-day in-person summits bringing together all 16 Job Quality Academy participants in Washington DC, with work happening inside the state between those gatherings. Kentucky’s team will receive intensive professional development on cutting-edge job quality practices, one-on-one technical experience and coaching from national subject matter experts to support strategic planning around job quality, support in developing strategic plans for job quality in Kentucky, and the opportunity to connect with and learn from similar efforts among the 15 other state teams selected for this program. “A good, high-quality job not only lifts up our workers and their families, but it also makes Kentucky businesses more competitive in attracting and retaining talented employees,” said Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. “With all of these exciting job announcements coming in daily, I am excited to see how this program will support this progress and move Kentucky families and businesses forward.”