News
The living wage in Kentuckiana
Many workers in low-wage jobs do not earn enough to meet their basic needs in the community in which they live. Researchers at MIT developed the Living Wage Calculator using current data and covering modern-day expenses, to provide communities with an understanding of how much it costs a full-time worker to meet their basic needs. The living wage is the minimum threshold needed to maintain economic self-sufficiency without the use of public assistance programs and without facing severe housing or food insecurity.
When the Data Can’t See the Whole Picture
Why can't labor market data alone solve workforce shortages? A New York Times investigation into construction shows how decades of industry change created current hiring crises that models struggle to predict. Employers see these pressures as they're happening, which is why KentuckianaWorks convenes industry advisory groups to inform workforce strategy with real-time insight the data can't yet show.
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.
These Local Professions Pay More than $70k without a 4-year Degree
These professions are part of high-demand sectors in the Kentuckiana region and pay a median annual wage above $70k.
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.