New website supports career development in Kentucky
Kentucky has a new tool for career exploration called Futuriti. Futuriti helps you explore Kentucky’s career pathways, education and training options, funding sources, and job opportunities. Its Future Finder tool provides state-specific insights on wages, college costs, etc. It’s a project of the Commonwealth Education Continuum (CEC).
The Commonwealth Education Continuum (CEC) is a team of 28 individuals whose expertise ranges from early childhood to the workforce. In addition, CEC workgroups focus on three priority areas identified by the CEC: 9th grade on track, early postsecondary opportunities, and first-year success.
Logo for Futuriti
Here’s the link. Heads up: it’s a robust site. When you explore it, grab a coffee and block out some time. Or, add it to your “Favorites” tab and refer to it frequently, preferably with someone actively exploring careers.
Some insights it offers about career exploration include:
Kentucky has identified five high-demand industry sectors: 1. Healthcare 2. Manufacturing and Logistics 3. Construction 4. Education 5. Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services. The Kentucky Workforce Innovation Board recently updated this list, continuing its emphasis on careers in healthcare, manufacturing, and construction and adding education as a high-demand sector.
Manufacturing jobs are now directly linked with jobs in logistics as the two sectors work hand-in-hand.
The professional, scientific, and technical services category is newly defined as follows: “Professionals in these fields of work may specialize in designing cutting-edge technology, conducting scientific research, managing financial strategies, or offering legal and business advice. These roles require advanced knowledge, analytical thinking, and a commitment to staying ahead of industry trends.”
The education sector encompasses classroom teachers, curriculum specialists, early childhood educators, educational administrators, and educational technology specialists.
The site enables individuals to explore jobs by geographic region and educational level. In the eight-county Northern Kentucky Area Development District, you can find high-demand careers requiring only a high school diploma through careers requiring advanced degrees.
You can quiz yourself in various ways. Discover your strengths, values, and aptitudes. Watch career videos and match them to your interests. These resources can complement the interest and aptitude awareness many local students have gained about themselves through the YouScience assessment in use by many local schools.
The site contains specific tips and resources to address unique needs. In short, it’s an excellent tool for career exploration, especially when combined with the network of services and resources available through NKY Works.
For more information about career exploration, contact NKY Works at NKYWorks@NKADD.org or 859.657.WRKS (9757).