Kentucky VALOR (KY VALOR), an initiative to help service members transitioning out of the military find fulfilling careers while addressing workforce challenges across the Commonwealth, recently placed its 100th veteran in a job with a Kentucky employer. State Rep. DJ Johnson helped shape the program and has been a strong advocate for its success.
KY VALOR is run by the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation (KSTC) and launched in July 2022 with funding from the 2022 Kentucky General Assembly. Johnson was recognized by KSTC in late 2022 for helping shape the initiative during the 2022 legislative session and helping secure funding for the program.
The program builds on a previous grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to create 44 accelerated pathways to occupational licensure giving veterans credit for their previous military experience. Kentucky is one of only three states with these military-friendly pathways, which lead to 55 licensed/certified occupations and cover more than 180 Military Occupational Specialties.
In 2024, KY VALOR received renewed funding from the General Assembly to extend the program through June 2026.
“The Kentucky VALOR Program is an excellent example of what can be accomplished when the Department of Defense, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and private industry work together on behalf of our military veterans,” Johnson said. “Because of the efforts of the VALOR team, our great veterans are being placed in great jobs, and our Kentucky businesses are filling critical needs with some of the finest employees they will ever have.”
The KY VALOR team travels nationally and internationally to recruit service members and their families to Kentucky and currently has more than 1,500 individuals in their recruitment pipeline.
“We’re thrilled to have helped 100 veterans land jobs in Kentucky,” said KY VALOR Executive Director Molly Bode. “We work one-on-one with these service members and their spouses every day, and we know that with a robust and growing pipeline, this is just the beginning. We plan to bring thousands of these talented, ready-to-work professionals to the commonwealth to be our coworkers and neighbors in the years ahead.”
KSTC President Terry Samuel added, “This is great news for not only the veterans our KY VALOR team has placed, but also for Kentucky employers. We’re filling workforce gaps for our employer partners with a unique talent pool – one that is highly skilled and highly trained. It’s a win-win.”
To learn more about KY VALOR and to register as an employer partner or client, visit kyvalor.com.
