Higdon: For the graduating Class of 2019, possibilities abound here in Kentucky
By JIMMY HIDGON
14th District State Senator
Saturday May 18, 2019 — We are in the heart of high school graduation season so I wanted to congratulate the graduates from my district – and the whole of Kentucky.
The graduates will undoubtedly be bombarded with advice. I’m not going to presume to know what’s best for individual graduates, but I will direct them to some data-driven analysis. That’s needed so they can make some fact-based choices as they move toward a future that looks bright, particularly in this region. The facts speak for themselves.
During the last five years, 460,566 Kentuckians earned 623,070 credentials. That’s a word policy wonks often use to refer to high school and equivalent, associate, bachelor and graduate degrees in addition to career, technical and postsecondary certificates and diplomas.
Career and technical education credentials have more than doubled over the past five years. Half of all science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) majors enter a “key sector” for employment. These are economic sectors with high-paying jobs that are highly coveted by economic development folks, community leaders and individual workers. Health care practitioners and technical occupations are projected to have the most high-skilled jobs over the next five years.
And, most important to these graduates, Kentucky is projected to need to fill more than 400,000 jobs with an average wage of $43,952 per year within five years. That’s way better than things looked when I graduated high school.
Those figures come from the Kentucky Center for Statistics’ Future Skills Report published in January. To find out more about how many jobs Kentucky will need to fill during the next five years, what will those jobs pay and more, check out the center’s fascinating interactive report on their website here.
Sure, there are challenges. That’s why I will continue to promote legislation that makes Kentucky a better place to live, work and raise a family plus creates an environment that attracts business and industry. Strong, resilient and vibrant communities are created and nurtured by actively engaged, invested and connected citizens.
The imagination, intelligence and tenacity of this year’s graduates – and the graduates to come – will build on Kentucky’s strengths that include a low cost of living, numerous natural wonders and an enviable location within a day’s drive of two-thirds of the nation’s population. I have confidence that these graduates will transform great ideas into the thriving businesses and just maybe, global enterprises, which will drive Kentucky’s economy into the next century.
With all that said, let me simply say congratulations to all sixth grade, eighth grade, high school and college graduates. As bright and successful as you are, you could not have done this on your own. Be sure today to thank all your teachers, parents, grandparents and siblings for their help in accomplishing this goal. Wherever life takes you always give your very best and always remember where you’re from. As you grow, you will realize that there is no place like home.
In closing, please be safe during this special time of year. Have a joyous celebration but please, please don’t drink and drive or drive impaired. Play it safe and party right – and alcohol-free – at graduation. A well-deserved celebration shouldn’t end in tragedy.
Congratulations again and well done. I wish you good luck for the new beginning in life. May you reach all your goals, and I wish you the best in the career you have chosen and wherever life’s road takes you.
May God bless each of you.
Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, represents the 14th District that encompasses Casey, Marion, Nelson and Spencer counties as well a portion of Jefferson County including Fern Creek and Jeffersontown. He can be reached by calling his office in Frankfort at 502-564-8100, his home in Lebanon at 270-692-6945 or emailing him at senatorhigdon@gmail.com. You can also follow him on Twitter at @SenatorJimmy.
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