What happens to nearly 10,000 young people after they walk across the graduation stage can shape an entire region's economic future. As the class of 2023 from the KentuckianaWorks region completes their first year in the workforce, the data reveals both promising trends and concerning gaps that demand attention from educators, employers, and policymakers alike.

Overall Graduate Outcomes

There were nearly 9,700 high school graduates from the class of 2023 across the public school districts in the KentuckianaWorks region (Bullitt, Henry, Oldham, Jefferson, Shelby, Spencer, and Trimble counties). Overall, 43% of graduates enrolled in a Kentucky postsecondary institution the year after graduation. Among these 4,200 postsecondary-enrolled students, 80% also worked the year after high school graduation.

While college-bound students generally have a clear pathway toward career preparation, the 5,500 graduates who did not enroll in a Kentucky postsecondary institution face more immediate workforce challenges. These students represent 57% of the graduating class and need different types of support to achieve economic stability. For this reason, the remainder of this analysis focuses specifically on understanding their employment outcomes and identifying what factors contribute to their success in the labor market.

Focus on Non-College Bound Graduates

Among the class of 2023 who did not enroll in an in-state postsecondary institution the year after graduation, 72%, nearly 4,000 young people, worked at least part of the year for a Kentucky employer the year after graduation. Graduates from Spencer County Public Schools and Bullitt County Public Schools had the highest in-state employment rates, where 80% of the graduates who did not enroll in college worked the year after graduation.

Just over 1,500 graduates from the class of 2023 did not have a record of postsecondary enrollment in a Kentucky institution nor did they have a record of W-2 employment in Kentucky the year after graduation. While some might be successfully settled in another state, others are likely disconnected from work and school.

Employment Consistency and Earnings

The administrative records used to track employment do not include information about the number of hours worked each quarter, only that there were positive earnings in that quarter. The percentage of graduates who worked four consecutive quarters the year following high school graduation shows a measure of consistency of employment. While the total hours worked each quarter are still unknown, it shows persistent employment over the year. Among those graduates who did not enroll in postsecondary but did work the year after graduation, 60% were employed for all four quarters, nearly 2,400 young workers. This ranges from 68% among Bullitt County Public School graduates, to 53% among Trimble County Public School graduates. There were 1,600 young workers who worked at least one quarter the year after high school graduation, but fewer than four.

Not surprisingly, working four consecutive quarters leads to higher wages. Among those 2,400 graduates not in postsecondary working four quarters the year after graduation, median annual wages was just over $23,000. However, for the roughly 1,600 young people who worked only part of the year, median annual wages was just $5,400. Another 1,500 graduates did not have a record of any earnings. For comparison, the region’s living wage for a single adult with no dependents is more than $45,000.

The Role of Career and Technical Education (CTE)

Career and technical education opportunities are available to high school students across the region. Within Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS), the Academies of Louisville have adopted career-themed learning communities within high schools, partnering with the business community to provide experiential learning opportunities. Area Technology Centers (ATCs) serve school districts in the regional counties, providing students with access to hands-on learning opportunities in specific career fields. Career and Technical Education (CTE) completers are students who complete four courses within an approved career pathway.

Across the public school districts in the KentuckianaWorks region, 30% of the graduating class of 2023 were CTE completers, nearly 3,000 students. CTE completers have higher rates of postsecondary enrollment, higher rates of non-college-goers working, and among those working, they are more likely to be working all four quarters, resulting in higher median annual earnings.

KentuckianaWorks Programs

Several of KentuckianaWorks programs aim to prepare the next generation of workers for a changing economy.

The Academies of Louisville Alliance helps to maintain a strong partnership between the Academies of Louisville in JCPS and the local business community. Students experience more real-world examples of how their learning fits into the world of work through experiences like guest speakers, industry tours, career panels, and job shadows.

SummerWorks helps prepare young people ages 16-21 for work by providing paid, work-based learning experiences over the summer. After the Tassel works with high school seniors and recent graduates to connect them to full-time, quality employment. And The Spot: Young Adult Opportunity Center helps young adults 18-24 who are struggling to find their career footing overcome barriers and achieve their goals.

Data caveats and notes

This analysis was completed by the Kentucky Center for Statistics, part of the Kentucky Education & Labor Cabinet. It looks at high school graduates from public schools in the KentuckianaWorks region, which covers Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, and Trimble counties. Enrollment in postsecondary is measured by enrollment in a Kentucky postsecondary institution within a year after graduating high school. It does not capture postsecondary enrollment in out-of-state institutions. Employment is measured as W-2 employment in Kentucky. It does not capture out-of-state employment, 1099 employment, gig work, cash-paid work, or unpaid work. Employment is measured as positive earnings in at least one quarter the federal fiscal year after graduation, October 1, 2023 - September 30, 2024.

Tracking the Class of 2023's First Year Outcomes