Sumitomo employees approved for training and development

From Scottie Ellis/Brandon Mattingly

Frankfort, KY - On June 11, 2026, Gov. Andy Beshear highlighted that Team Kentucky will provide workforce training and skills development to over 7,400 Kentuckians. This continued investment in our state workforce is thanks to support provided through the Bluegrass State Skills Corp. (BSSC), which oversees programs attached to the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development that help private-sector businesses establish industry-specific training initiatives.

Approvals from last month's meeting included workforce training support for over 960 employees at Baptist Health Deaconess in Madisonville. Other approvals include 634 trainees for Toyotetsu Mid America in Owensboro, 300 employees at RFC in Shelbyville, 286 workers at Algood Food Co. in Louisville, 264 trainees at Grupo Antolin Kentucky in Hopkinsville, 257 employees at Commonwealth Cooperage in Morehead, and 232 employees at Sumitomo Electrical Wiring Systems in Edmonton, among others.

"Continuing to provide the training and resources necessary for our talented workforce to grow is one of the most important steps in building a strong, sustainable economy," said Gov. Beshear. "We want to connect Kentucky employees with training and development opportunities so they can secure the good-paying jobs we're creating and help our businesses succeed. We are committed to building a better Kentucky, and programs like this are helping us reach that goal."

The most recent BSSC meeting concludes fiscal year 2026, where in total, the BSSC board approved 112 applicants for more than $9.5 million in training funds and credits for over 28,400 trainees throughout the state.

Last year saw over $9.5 million in training funds and credits approved for more than 30,600 trainees across 115 Kentucky facilities through the BSSC board.

In fiscal year 2024, the BSSC board of directors approved roughly $19 million in funds and credits for 104 Kentucky facilities to train 42,600-plus workers, the most since 2016.

Employers across the state benefit from BSSC's Grant-in-Aid (GIA) and Skills Training Investment Credit (STIC) programs. GIA provides cash reimbursements for occupational and skills upgrade training at Kentucky businesses, while STIC offers state income tax credits for companies to offset the costs for approved training programs. Applications for both programs are accepted and considered for approval by the BSSC board of directors.

Types of operations that could qualify for BSSC incentives include manufacturing, agribusiness, nonretail service or technology, headquarters operations, state-licensed hospital operations, coal severing and processing, alternative fuel, gasification, renewable energy production or carbon dioxide transmission pipelines.

For more information on the Bluegrass State Skills Corp. or to apply for workforce training assistance, visit https://newkentuckyhome.ky.gov.

This story was posted on 2026-06-11 20:37:28.
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