News
Youth unemployment is up, and teens are feeling it most
Recent economic slowing and the rise of AI are reshaping the labor market for young adults. The entry-level market for recent college graduates has tightened and teen unemployment continues to climb.
Postsecondary Readiness in our Region: Class of 2025
Ensuring high school graduates are ready for their next steps, whether that’s college, career training, or direct employment, is critical to preparing the future workforce. This article examines postsecondary readiness among the class of 2025 within the KentuckianaWorks 7-county region.
1-in-8 of the region's young people were disconnected from work and school in 2024
Last year, more than 18,000 youth and young adults in the Kentuckiana region were not enrolled in school and not working. Disconnection from earning and learning opportunities during these pivotal young adult years is costly for young people, taxpayers, and economic growth.
Tracking the Class of 2023's First Year Outcomes
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.
Louisville Region’s Labor Market: 2024 Highlights
The regional economy showed signs of softening in 2024. Higher interest rates set by the Federal Reserve achieved their intended purpose of slowing the economy to reduce inflation. The economy entered the current turbulent policy environment from an already weakened position. It has been especially difficult for people entering the labor market, particularly among young workers. Let’s review how the regional economy performed in 2024.