Thousands of jobs remain vacant in south central Kentucky

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Thousands of jobs in South Central Kentucky remain vacant, according to the latest numbers from the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce and multiple local agencies are here to help connect people to those positions.

There are just over 7,000 available jobs in the chamber’s ten county region, which includes Warren, Barren, Logan and Simpson counties, among others.

Most of the jobs are in healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, professional and public services and transportation.

The president and CEO of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, Ron Bunch, says more jobs are projected to open over the next decade as the generation of baby boomers retire.

“There will be quite a number of jobs open simply by the number of baby boomers retiring from positions that they held in the community. That is a very high percentage, I mean, it’s like 70-80% of the open jobs are movement within the market,” said Bunch.

The Kentucky Career Center is a useful resource for those looking for jobs in the area.

“We not only help you with a job, we send you to resource that will help you. We also supply things as far as clothing and things of that nature,” said Eliezer Mendez III, resource assistant at Kentucky Career Center.

Mendez was released from jail through drug court and began a program at the career and now works full-time at Kentucky Career Center.

“I got a full-time job here and I am able to give back to felons like myself and help them find jobs,” said Mendez.

Still, more than 5,500 people remain unemployed, according to the chamber.