GE Appliances partners with Kentucky governor on new education initiative

Nov 23rd 2021

GE Appliances, a Haier company, is partnering with Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear on a new education initiative called “Everybody Counts.” 

The program aims to help every Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) graduate who doesn’t currently have a plan for after high school graduation to secure one of three pathways: a job, post-secondary enrollment or both.

The program will begin this school year and will be in place to assist the class of 2022.

“Every young adult in Kentucky counts. We want to do everything we can to ensure each one of these graduating seniors is on a path for success – a path that can change in the future if their goals change,” said Gov. Beshear. “We are at a unique moment in time. There’s never been more opportunity to get higher education and training, and for the first time in my lifetime we have more jobs than people to fill them. We want to give these students a chance to select that path they want to be on before they graduate.”

In addition to GE Appliances, participating partner companies also include Ford Motor Company, Kroger and UPS. Nonprofit, higher education and labor partners supporting Everybody Counts include Evolve502, the Louisville Urban League, Simmons College of Kentucky and UAW Local 862.

Everybody Counts will help match graduates looking for jobs in the commonwealth with employers actively looking for young Kentuckians to fill roles within their companies.

The Everybody Counts partners’ goal is to have materials ready for every student on or before Feb. 1, 2022. 

The materials will include information on higher education options and funding, as well as concrete job opportunities– jobs that can start soon after graduation and will continue to present educational opportunities through employment.

The Governor said the Jefferson County program can serve as a launching pad to expand similar initiatives across the commonwealth.

“Gov. Beshear’s plan shines a light on students who may need more attention and support as they prepare to leave high school,” said Kevin Nolan, president and chief executive officer of GE Appliances. “It comes at a critical time. Despite the success of existing talent attraction programs, too many recent graduates can’t see a future. And too many Kentucky jobs go unfilled. We look forward to working with Everybody Counts to highlight our work-to-college programs, improve opportunities for entry-level manufacturing positions and find ways to better connect these young people with the futures they deserve.”

Watch highlights from the announcement in the video below. 

For more information on Everybody Counts visit https://governor.ky.gov/Everybody-Counts.