The rise of artificial intelligence is reshaping the job market, prompting educators and industry leaders in Kentucky and Ohio to expose students to careers less vulnerable to automation.A recent study from the Harvard Business School examined more than 19,000 job postings and found that listings focused on repetitive tasks that AI can already perform dropped 13%. At the same time, jobs requiring analytical, technical and creative skills increased 20%.That shift is fueling renewed interest in career and technical education programs and skilled trades across the region.At the More than MFG Manufacturing Expo in downtown Cincinnati, students explored robotics and advanced technology while learning about careers in modern manufacturing.“Advanced manufacturing is going to be here to stay,” said Drew Crowe, founder of New American Renaissance. “We help those people find the skills and the access to the skills and then we bring them all together and connect them.”Crowe said the goal is not to avoid AI, but to help students pursue careers that are resistant to automation.That effort starts early for TradesNKY, a nonprofit co-founded by AnyWeather Heating and Air owner Phil Griffin. The organization introduces grade-school students to careers in the skilled trades through hands-on programs and classroom projects.“We’re trying to show these kids there’s hope and there’s a lot of paths,” Griffin said. “There’s not just one path to get there.”Educators across the region are seeing growing demand for career and technical education programs.According to the Kentucky Department of Education, more than 145,000 Kentucky high school students are enrolled in career and technical education programs this year.In Ohio, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce reports career-tech participation has increased 10% over the past four years, adding more than 13,000 students since 2021.Industry leaders say the need for skilled workers continues to grow as older workers retire.“The jobs are there,” said Jay Stahl, president of CBT Company. “I don’t know one manufacturer or one customer of ours who is not looking for people today.”Crowe said many entry-level manufacturing and trade jobs start at $25 an hour or more, offering students a direct pathway into stable careers.Earlier this year, TradesNKY received a $400,000 grant from the Kenton County Fiscal Court. Organizers plan to use the funding to expand trade programs into six middle schools in the Kenton County School District, upgrade classrooms and purchase new equipment.
The rise of artificial intelligence is reshaping the job market, prompting educators and industry leaders in Kentucky and Ohio to expose students to careers less vulnerable to automation.
A recent study from the Harvard Business School examined more than 19,000 job postings and found that listings focused on repetitive tasks that AI can already perform dropped 13%. At the same time, jobs requiring analytical, technical and creative skills increased 20%.
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That shift is fueling renewed interest in career and technical education programs and skilled trades across the region.
At the More than MFG Manufacturing Expo in downtown Cincinnati, students explored robotics and advanced technology while learning about careers in modern manufacturing.
“Advanced manufacturing is going to be here to stay,” said Drew Crowe, founder of New American Renaissance. “We help those people find the skills and the access to the skills and then we bring them all together and connect them.”
Crowe said the goal is not to avoid AI, but to help students pursue careers that are resistant to automation.
That effort starts early for TradesNKY, a nonprofit co-founded by AnyWeather Heating and Air owner Phil Griffin. The organization introduces grade-school students to careers in the skilled trades through hands-on programs and classroom projects.
“We’re trying to show these kids there’s hope and there’s a lot of paths,” Griffin said. “There’s not just one path to get there.”
Educators across the region are seeing growing demand for career and technical education programs.
According to the Kentucky Department of Education, more than 145,000 Kentucky high school students are enrolled in career and technical education programs this year.
In Ohio, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce reports career-tech participation has increased 10% over the past four years, adding more than 13,000 students since 2021.
Industry leaders say the need for skilled workers continues to grow as older workers retire.
“The jobs are there,” said Jay Stahl, president of CBT Company. “I don’t know one manufacturer or one customer of ours who is not looking for people today.”
Crowe said many entry-level manufacturing and trade jobs start at $25 an hour or more, offering students a direct pathway into stable careers.
Earlier this year, TradesNKY received a $400,000 grant from the Kenton County Fiscal Court.
Organizers plan to use the funding to expand trade programs into six middle schools in the Kenton County School District, upgrade classrooms and purchase new equipment.