Kentucky Colleges and Universities: Find Career Training

Kentucky's largest, most profitable companies are located in Louisville, Covington and Lexington. Among Kentucky's largest companies:

• Humana - an insurance and managed care company located in Louisville
• Ashland - chemical company, located in Covington
• Yum Brands - a food service company in Louisville
• Lexmark International - a Lexington computer peripherals company

Kentucky's combination of healthcare, retail, and services companies increases the state's versatility and employment power. A statewide unemployment rate of 5.5% is slightly higher than the national average, suggesting that a higher level of education and career training might be necessary to secure competitive jobs in the state.

Management jobs are lucrative in Kentucky; Salary.com reports that assistant restaurant managers in Lexington earn about $33,700 a year, while help desk managers in Louisville earn $74,900 on average. MBA students often choose to combine management training with existing work experience or education, and a variety of management programs are available, depending on the desired specialization.

The civilian labor force in Kentucky is employed mainly in the trade, transportation, and utilities industry, although government work, manufacturing jobs, and educational and health services careers make up a large number of the state's workforce of 1.9 million.

Another popular career field in Louisville is in computer-aided design. Trained drafters can find employment in architectural firms or local government, and entry-level drafters in Louisville earn $36,500 on average. More experienced drafters earn anywhere from $43,600 to $55,500 annually. While no education or career training program can guarantee a job, graduates often benefit from training in competitive fields where education and experience are preferred.

Sources:

• CNN Money
• Salary.com
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics