The October ‘Open Jobs Report’ from the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce shows there are nearly 5,300 vacant positions in a 10-county region of South Central Kentucky.
The chamber launched the monthly jobs report in September as part of a regional snapshot in the effort to develop a trained workforce to keep up with the area’s healthy business growth.
Economic development leaders point to the increasing number of college and apprenticeship programs as the main avenue to meet the needs of businesses.
Some executives say many potential or new employees lack 'soft skills' like good communication or showing up to work on time. And some business leaders say many potential employees can’t pass the drug test required for employment.
The October jobs report shows the number of vacant positions has decreased by about 500 since last month. The chamber report says the region is beginning to see improvement in employment thanks to partnerships with schools and the South Central Kentucky Workforce Development Board.
The report says that within a broader 50-mile radius of the 10-county region there are 45,000 open positions in construction, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, professional services and transportation.
