Kentucky Career Center-Cumberlands
The Kentucky Career Center - Cumberlands is a powerful resource for regional workforce development. This agency is tasked with employment assistance for job seekers and helping employers find qualified workers. The Kentucky Career Center's business team is able and ready to assist business and industry with a variety of free services including recruitment, training, evaluation, job fairs and even providing interview facilities for new and expanding employers. To learn more about the Kentucky Career Center - Cumberlands, visit www.cumberlandsworkforce.com.
Labor Pool
Russell County lies in the center of the 13-county Cumberlands Workforce region, which has a civilian labor force of over 126,000 as of August 2021 (check current data). Commuting patterns show a significant number of workers travel to adjoining counties rather than work in Russell County. This indicates a desirable living area and creates opportunity with a ready workforce pool for a potential industry.
The ample labor supply — coupled with an abundant water supply, large capacity wastewater treatment plant, and modest tax rate — makes Russell County an ideal place for many types of industries. These positive economic factors have been instrumental in attracting and growing a diverse line-up, including companies that manufacture automotive parts, farm gates, plastics, textiles, and wood products.
Real-World Workforce College
The Lake Cumberland Regional College & Workforce Center on the grounds of Russell County High School is a resource for the entire region. The center can serve 2,215 high school students and 620 adults in all five primary Kentucky Workforce Investment Board sectors — advanced manufacturing, healthcare, technology, construction trades, and transportation. Programs can be designed to fit specific industry needs.
Apprenticeships Today in Russell County
Advanced manufacturers in Russell County are adapting and refining the tradition of apprenticeships to acquire the skilled workforce they need.
Working in close coordination with Russell County Schools and the Kentucky Department of Education, Dr. Schneider's USA Apprenticeship Program continues to be recognized nationally. "Dr. Schneider's youth apprenticeship model has been chosen the best model in the country by both the United States Department of Labor and the United States Department of Education," said Mary Taylor, B&I Training Specialist, Kentucky Department of Education.
The video below by AASA, The American School Superintendents Association, features the apprenticeship partnership created by Russell County Schools, the Kentucky Department of Education, and Dr. Schneider Automotive Systems in Russell Springs.
