Louisville and Indiana teaming up to help job seekers and employers

Workforce leaders in Louisville and Southern Indiana have collaborated for more than a decade to streamline the path for workers and employers on both sides of the Ohio River.

But the confusion for job seekers and employers looking for skilled workers is crystallized in the question that still pops often: Can a Hoosier  sign up for Code Louisville computer coding classes? 

Workforce investment leaders say anybody in the region, from Indiana and from Louisville and surrounding counties, can enroll. People from either state also can use the Kentucky Career Center in downtown Louisville and the WorkOne offices in Indiana, regardless of where they live.

In coming months, officials say, they expect to ramp up efforts to offer similar branding and programs on both sides of the river to break down barriers for people looking for jobs and certifications, as well as employers searching for workers. 

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On Tuesday, the heads of regional workforce efforts in Louisville and Southern Indiana will sign a Bi-State Regional Workforce Plan, with representatives from the U.S. Department of Labor looking on, to kick off the push. 

The plan would be among the first to cover an interstate area under the federal Workforce Opportunity and Innovation Act. The two agencies, which cover a total of 12 counties in Southern Indiana and Kentucky, have agreed to share data and collaborate to beef up worker training and employer assistance — and eventually compete for more federal money together.

Louisville's base allocation is $5.4 million, and Southern Indiana's is $1.3 million this fiscal year. Both receive additional funding from other sources.

“Workers don’t draw the same arbitrary distinctions that we as workforce boards often do,” said Michael Gritton, executive director for KentuckianaWorks, which oversees the local career centers.

“Indiana residents come across the bridge to find work and vice versa. This new partnership reflects that reality and puts the needs of the region’s job seekers first. It will also make it easier for employers to find talented workers,” he said.

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Ron McKulick, Gritton's counterpart and executive director of Region 10 Workforce Board, said it's made sense to collaborate closely because the employment sectors are similar in both states, in health care, manufacturing, financial services and IT. 

The idea for a bistate pact grew out of months of meetings between the agencies starting in fall 2017 that included comment from business leaders, educational institutions and others who are pushing for better skilled workers, higher wages and more engagement with employers.

"The plan is designed to help more people get a career and family-sustaining wages," McKulick said, adding that "whatever we do together" is bound to do some good.

Cultivating cross state ties

KentuckianaWorks and Region 10 Workforce Board, with Kentucky and Indiana workforce officials and federal Department of Labor will gather for a signing event for a new Bi-State Regional Workforce Plan at Greater Louisville Inc.'s offices, from 11:30 a.m to 1 p.m. Tuesday 614 W. Main Street in Louisville. 

Grace Schneider: 502-582-4082; gschneider@courierjournal.com; Twitter: @gesinfk. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today:www.courier-journal.com/graces.