Department Of Workforce Development

The Department of Workforce Development, Education & Workforce Development Cabinet Division, is a state government entity located in Frankfort, Kentucky, registered to receive federal awards since April 30, 2009. This agency serves as Kentucky's primary workforce development authority, providing comprehensive employment services, job training, labor market information, and support for both job seekers and employers. The Department administers multiple federal workforce programs designed to connect unemployed and underemployed individuals with employment opportunities while assisting businesses in meeting their labor needs through the American Job Center network.

The Department of Workforce Development has received one documented federal contract award, reflecting its role as a state government entity that primarily operates under grant-based funding mechanisms. The single contract award was a litigation consultant services contract valued at $1,200.00, awarded on April 1, 2024, by the U.S. Attorney's Offices under a Time and Materials purchase order structure, with an ultimate completion date of March 31, 2025. This minimal contract activity is consistent with the agency's primary focus on administering federal workforce and employment programs rather than procuring external contract services, as the majority of its federal funding comes through grant awards that support direct service delivery.

The Department of Workforce Development has received extensive federal grant funding across numerous workforce development programs, demonstrating its central role in Kentucky's employment and training infrastructure. Major grant awards include multiple formula grants totaling over $90 million through the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA), including the WIOA Adult Program ($19.5 million), WIOA Dislocated Worker Program ($12.8 million), WIOA Youth Activities Program ($16.7 million), Employment Service/Wagner-Peyser Program ($8.2 million), and various specialized programs such as Jobs for Veterans State Grants ($562,185.00), Registered Apprenticeship Project Grants ($741,890.00), and Disaster Recovery Dislocated Worker Grants ($6 million). Additional federal grants support unemployment insurance administration, Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Trade Adjustment Assistance, Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment, and Work Opportunity Tax Credit administration through ETA. The Department also received a significant $12.1 million Digital Equity Plan implementation grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to expand digital literacy and skills training across Kentucky. These grants fund critical workforce services including career counseling, job placement, occupational skills training, supportive services such as childcare and transportation assistance, registered apprenticeship development, services for veterans with employment barriers, youth employment programs, disaster recovery employment assistance, and digital skills advancement, with no subaward restrictions on most programs, allowing the Department to partner with local workforce boards and community organizations to deliver services statewide.