Bingham Fellows Class of 2023 Announces Projects to Address Louisville’s Talent Pipeline

The Bingham Fellows program is the advanced leadership program of the Leadership Louisville Center, created in 1988 to gather a diverse group of leaders to develop dynamic and innovative solutions to our community’s most pressing challenges. Every year, the Leadership Louisville Center selects a class of experts, influencers, and creative thinkers to address the most pertinent issue facing our city. Forty-four members of the Bingham Fellows Class of 2023 are launching several initiatives focused on the topic, “TALENT: Pathways & Pipelines.”

For any thriving community, a robust workforce is a must-have, but it’s not just about jobs and paychecks. It’s about building a place where people feel valued, connected, and empowered to create a better future for themselves and their families, all while creating networks and relationships that support and enhance the community. The 2023 Bingham Fellows, a dynamic group of Louisville leaders, spent the year exploring the challenges and opportunities facing our local workforce. As the class comes to a close, the participants have developed actionable strategies to address the needs of workers, employers, and our entire community.

INVESTING IN FUTURE LEADERS: BRIDGING THE EDUCATION TO WORKFORCE GAP
A strong workforce begins long before a job application. Success in maintaining a talented and growing workforce depends largely on the preparedness of our high school graduates. Only
45% of Jefferson County Public School graduates make it to two- or four-year colleges after graduation, and that’s where the Bingham Fellows are stepping in.

The Navigators, one of this year’s Bingham Fellows teams,  focused on the 55% of graduates who did not immediately enroll in secondary education. By partnering with JCPS, community partners, and employers, the team is identifying alternative pathways for these graduates to become contributing members of the Louisville workforce. Through apprenticeships, internships, co-ops, and career fairs, the Navigator’s project can open doors and create more diverse possibilities beyond traditional college.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NAVIGATORS HERE

SUPPORTING WORKING FAMILIES: CHILDCARE & TRANSPORTATION CHALLENGES
For Louisville to be a thriving and equitable community, childcare cannot be a barrier to employment. However, for many Louisville families, juggling work and childcare is a constant struggle. The Champions for Child Care campaign is an employer-led focus, dedicated to making childcare accessible and affordable for all. They’re raising awareness and advocating for sustainable and systemic change,  because a strong childcare system benefits everyone – parents, employers, and the community economy.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CHAMPIONS FOR CHILD CARE HERE

Similarly, People on the Move addressed the issue of transportation. With the leadership of People on the Move and See Forward Ministries, 502Commute aims to bridge the gap between under-resourced communities and quality jobs. Through the Employer Partnership Program, Louisville businesses can purchase ride credits from 502Commute and offer a ride to work as an employee benefit. Their van-share model will provide reliable transportation to workers, helping them get to work on time and boosting their employment prospects.
LEARN MORE ABOUT 502COMMUTE HERE

ATTRACTING TOP TALENT: SHOWCASING LOUISVILLE’S BRILLIANCE
While nurturing our local workforce is essential, we also need to attract new talent to fuel our economy. Go Beyond: Caregivers and Coders addresses the need to leverage Louisville’s unique cultural assets to attract top tier talent in the healthcare and tech industries. Through a competitive application process, Go Beyond will bring approximately 200 individuals to Louisville during Bourbon and Beyond for a VIP experience highlighting the best of Louisville. Healthcare and tech companies will be able to leverage the nation’s premier culinary, bourbon, and music festival to attract talent to their organization and convince them that Louisville should be their new home.
LEARN MORE ABOUT GO BEYOND HERE

REAL SOLUTIONS, REAL IMPACT
The challenges facing our workforce are complex, but the 2023 Bingham Fellows haven’t shied away from them. They’ve identified real issues, developed practical solutions, and are now actively working to make them a reality. Through these four exciting projects, they’re paving a way for a brighter future for Louisville – one where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.