October is Manufacturing Month

October is Manufacturing Month and there’s no better time to spotlight this critical industry in the Kentuckiana regional economy. Manufacturing is the region’s second largest industry, employing nearly 80,000 workers in 2025. As manufacturers continue investing in new technology, the sector will increasingly need workers equipped to design, operate, and maintain it.

The region is building its next generation of manufacturing talent through career and technical education in local high schools. Initiatives like the Academies of Louisville Alliance and SummerWorks offer employers concrete ways to engage with students early, and help shape the region's future skilled workforce.

August snapshot for the Kentuckiana region

Change since August of last year

The region's August employment report looks a lot like it did at the same time last year. The number of people working was up slightly, as was demand for workers measured by online job postings. The unemployment rate was unchanged over the year. Overall, the economy is still chugging along.

Labor Market Dashboard

Posters Exploring Manufacturing Careers

Check out some posters we've created highlighting the manufacturing sector in the Louisville region!

Worker Engagement & Retention

How can companies keep their workers engaged and lower their rates of turnover?

We are partnering with local companies like WireCrafters to train managers and promote higher quality jobs. Watch the video to learn more.

Watch the Video

Manufacturing Careers

Good pay. Real skills. Built to last.

Explore in-demand manufacturing careers in the Louisville region. How much do they pay? What skills do you need? Who are the top local employers? Find answers to these questions and much more.

Start Exploring

Workforce Radar

Sharing insightful news and research wherever we may find it.

Working poor

Research from Metro United Way finds nearly 2 in 5 local households are struggling to make ends meet, even though they are employed. ALICE households are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, and demonstrate that work alone is not always enough to achieve financial stability in today’s economy.

Youth disconnection

A new report from RAND looks at economic disconnection among young adults in the US, and found nearly 1 in 4 young adults report being disconnected from school, training, or work for at least six months. Disconnected young men face high rates of poor mental health and social isolation. The findings suggest that education and employment programs alone may miss important needs around well-being.

Measuring student success

The Urban Institute's Education-to-Workforce Framework Data Tool is an interactive tool that lets users explore close to 100 indicators of student success, such as college enrollment, financial aid, and school environment. Users can compare outcomes across geographies, time periods, education levels, and demographic groups. The tool is meant to help educators, policymakers, community leaders, and researchers see how their communities are doing and where gaps exist.

The Labor Market Update is a monthly report produced by KentuckianaWorks, the Louisville region's Workforce Development Board. The report gives Louisville's policymakers and business leaders an overview of the local economy through powerful visuals and concise analysis.

KentuckianaWorks | kentuckianaworks.org