Planning

The Strategic Planning Committee kicked off the strategic planning process on November 4, 2019. The Committee outlined a process and key questions for the Environmental Analysis, which would be used to inform their planning. The results of the Environmental Analysis were shared with the Board in August 2020. In October 2020, the Board was invited to review the Committee's work, including the revised mission and vision statements and the draft SWOT. Board members provided their insight and feedback, which supported the Committee's direction. The finalized SWOT, which was informed by more than 200 employers, partners, and board members, was used as a springboard to develop the goals. The goals were drafted to define what BGWIB would like to accomplish by the end of the strategic plan in 2026 and why they were important. In November 2020, the plan was turned over to a team of ten staff members to draft objectives and measures, as well as provide feedback on the draft mission, vision, core values, and goal statements. The objectives broadly define how the goals will be achieved, and the measures require internal data, so it was determined staff was best positioned to draft these components. The Committee reviewed the staff's contributions and, using their feedback and input, revised the final plan, which was presented to the Board in February 2021 and approved.
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) requires each workforce development board (WDB) to develop and submit, in partnership with the local chief elected official, a comprehensive four-year plan to the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

The Local Plan reflects the current and future strategies and efficiencies that the Workforce Development Board of the Bluegrass Area and other local areas will use to address the continuing modernization of the workforce system and creation of a customer-centered system: where the needs of employers and jobseekers drive workforce solutions; where One-Stop Career Centers provide excellent customer service to all jobseekers and businesses; and where the workforce system supports strong regional economies, as well as alignment with updated State and local priorities.

* The updated Bluegrass Local Plan is currently being submitted to the Commonwealth for review and approval. The public comment period on this document ended on April 7th, 2025.
The Bluegrass, KentuckianaWorks, Lincoln Trail, and Northern Kentucky Workforce Areas collaborated to create the Central Kentucky WIOA Regional Plan (Regional Plan). The plan outlines the vision, goals and strategies for the 40 county’s WIOA programs, which are operated through a network of Kentucky Career Center and the America’s Job Centers of Kentucky. “This landmark Regional Plans unites diverse public and private partners throughout the Central Kentucky around a shared approach to develop a skilled and competitive workforce that meets the needs of businesses and employers,” said Mable Duke, former Director of Workforce Services for the Bluegrass Local Workforce Area. The Regional Plan outlines a shared vision for four Workforce Development Boards, community colleges, adult schools, economic development organizations, labor organizations, nonprofits and other workforce partners located throughout Central Kentucky. The Local Plan reflects the current and future strategies and efficiencies that the Workforce Development Board of the Bluegrass Area and other local areas will use to address the continuing modernization of the workforce system and creation of a customer-centered system: where the needs of employers and jobseekers drive workforce solutions; where One-Stop Career Centers provide excellent customer service to all jobseekers and businesses; and where the workforce system supports strong regional economies, as well as alignment with updated State and local priorities.

Comments or questions regarding any of these plans can be sent to Staci May, Public Information Officer at smay@bgadd.org.