Industry and Workforce Development

In 2019, the University of Kentucky and Beam Suntory partnered to create the James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Sprits. The partnership closely links the university with the industry to address workforce, innovation and the strategic questions that will shape the future of Kentucky’s signature spirit.  

• The Institute includes more than 40 faculty fellows across seven different colleges at UK.  

• The Whiskey Apprenticeship program is a first-of-its-kind whiskey workforce educational program certified by the state’s department of labor.  

• The Institute is working on barrel-to-bottle research with industry leaders to map the genome of the American White Oak, find innovative uses for spent distillers grains, and helping diversify the industry’s workforce.  

The university’s multidisciplinary work includes representatives from the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Gatton College of Business and Economics, College of Arts and Sciences, and College of Engineering. 

Learn more: 

James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits

The University of Kentucky is committed advancing Kentucky’s multi-billion-dollar signature equine industry. The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment combines a comprehensive, interdisciplinary education with world-class research and unmatched service to the industry.  

• We are a net-importer of students, with nearly 70 percent non-resident enrollment and 57 percent of graduating students staying in Kentucky after graduation.  

• We conduct leading-edge research in equine genomics, infectious disease and animal health and safety relevant to the success of the industry. 

• We support industry integrity with new, multi-dimensional programs focusing on drug testing, medication control and racetrack safety.  

The university’s multidisciplinary work includes representatives from other colleges, including innovative work in the health and wellness of the equine human athlete underway in the College of Health Sciences and Sports Medicine Research Institute.

Learn more: 

Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Equine Programs

Gluck Equine Research Center

College of Health Sciences Sports Medicine Research Institute 

RETAIN (Retaining Employment and Talent After Injury/Illness Network) Kentucky program is a federally funded initiative exploring stay-at-work/return-to-work strategies. Led in Kentucky by the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute and the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, RETAIN helps injured or ill workers remain in or return to their jobs. RETAIN can assist individuals with non-work-related injury or illness challenges in various industries and employment sectors, including agriculture and small businesses. Through the partnership with Cooperative Extension, Kentucky Extension agents receive periodic updates about the program, along with resource to promote the program locally to both employers and prospective participants. Learn more about RETAIN Kentucky at https://www.kyretain.org.

Job Club is a partnership program organized by the UK Cooperative Extension Service, UK Alumni Career Services and UK Human Resources Temporary Employment. Launched in 2013, the program provides a positive environment for motivated job seekers to meet, connect, share, and learn. Initially offered with monthly in-person meetings at the Fayette County Extension Office in Lexington, Kentucky, the program pivoted to fully virtual during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic and now is offered in a hybrid format for both in-person and virtual participation. Access more information, including details of upcoming sessions and links to past recordings at www.ukalumni.net/jobclub.