Gov. Andy Beshear announced that the Bluegrass State Skills Corp. has approved $1.8 million in state funding to support workforce training and development for nearly 2,300 Kentuckians in the first round of approvals for fiscal year 2026.

The Bluegrass State Skills Corp., which oversees programs attached to the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, helps private-sector businesses establish industry-specific training initiatives. The recent BSSC meeting marked the first approvals of fiscal year 2026.

The most recent round of approvals includes training for more than 360 employees at James Marine in Paducah and 201 workers at Lyons Magnus East in Walton. Additional approved projects include 200 trainees at CertainTeed Gypsum in Silver Grove, 129 workers at Carbide Industries in Louisville, 90 at El Toro.com in Louisville, 72 at Flottweg Separation Technology in Independence, and 60 at Log Still Distillery Management Co. in New Haven.

"Making sure Kentucky's talented workforce has the tools and resources needed to continue developing and growing is key to maintaining our economic momentum and supporting our people," said Beshear. "Our BSSC program helps communities in every corner of the state, allowing for more investment, better jobs and increased opportunity."

Employers across the state benefit from BSSC's Grant-in-Aid program, which provides cash reimbursements for occupational and skills upgrade training at Kentucky businesses, and the Skills Training Investment Credit program, which offers state income tax credits for companies to offset the costs for approved training programs.

Since fiscal year 2022, BSSC programs have assisted more than 143,000 workers statewide. In fiscal year 2025, the BSSC board approved more than $9.5 million in training funds and credits for over 30,600 trainees across 115 Kentucky facilities.

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