Gritton was recognized for his many years of leadership on programming for disconnected youth and summer jobs
Yesterday, Michael Gritton of KentuckianaWorks received the inaugural Impact Award at the National Youth Employment Coalition’s 2023 Annual Forum in Indianapolis. Gritton, who has served as the executive director of the Louisville region’s workforce development board since 2002, was selected for the award based on his “determination to uphold the quality of young adult services” through successful programs like SummerWorks and The Spot: Young Adult Opportunity Campus.
“The work we do together literally changes lives...We are excited to be helping so many high school students and young adults to reach their education and employment goals.”
Michael Gritton (left) with Robert Sainz, NYEC Board Member and CEO of New Ways to Work
“I’m humbled and honored to accept this award on behalf of our passionate board and fantastic staff and partners,” Gritton said. “The work we do together literally changes lives in Louisville and the surrounding counties. We are excited to be helping so many high school students and young adults to reach their education and employment goals.”
KentuckianaWorks has run SummerWorks, Louisville’s youth jobs program, since 2011. Hundreds of partner employers have hired youth during the 12 seasons of SummerWorks, and the program’s impact has helped Louisville outpace the nation’s average youth employment level. In February, Mayor Craig Greenberg announced the start of the registration season for SummerWorks 2023. Youth ages 16-21 can sign up now.
The Spot: Young Adult Opportunity Campus is another in-demand program that has grown under Gritton’s leadership. A partnership with Goodwill Industries of Kentucky and Louisville Metro Government, The Spot is the area’s largest program serving disconnected/opportunity youth. The program offers a wide variety of career and wrap-around resources for young adults ages 16-24, including soft skills workshops, assistance with transportation and housing, paid internships, and help navigating the justice system. The Spot has expanded to four locations in the Louisville region.
In addition to The Spot and SummerWorks, KentuckianaWorks has also developed an online platform for youth job-seeking and career exploration (KentuckianaEARNS), helped high school students get into college (College Access Center), and played a leadership role in the transformative Academies of Louisville initiative at Jefferson County Public Schools. Since 2009, KentuckianaWorks’ youth career centers have helped more than 750 young adults earn their GED, more than 600 earn industry credentials, and more than 1,800 find employment.
To learn more about KentuckianaWorks’ offerings for youth and young adults, visit kentuckianaworks.org/youth.
