The services listed below relate to both the employer and the job and 
service seeker.

Unemployment Insurance Alien Labor Certification Kentucky Transitional Assistance Migrant Seasonal Farmworker Older Workers Testing Workforce Development Agencies Workforce Investment Act

Unemployment Insurance

Funded by employers Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) taxes, unemployment insurance provides income to those who lose their jobs through no fault of their own or are on temporary layoff until they find new employment or are recalled by their previous employer to return to work.

When filing your claim you will need to bring identification, preferably a picture ID. You will also need to know your former employer’s address and the dates you worked for each employer. Mondays and Tuesdays are extremely high volume days for filing unemployment insurance claims. You may find it more convenient or preferable to wait until later in the week to file your claim. Once you have filed your initial claim, you may use the Automated Benefits Exchange (ABE), often referred to as the VRU, to claim benefits. 

Unemployment Insurance claims may be filed at the location listed below Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm.

Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program

Working in cooperation with Department for Community Based Services case managers, DES staff in the Kentucky Works Program assist welfare applicants and recipients to obtain employment which leads to self-sufficiency. Incorporating a "work first" philosophy, applicants for welfare must register for employment with DES and attempt to obtain suitable employment before they are deemed eligible to receive benefits. DES staff conduct an assessment of each program participant's employability and based upon that assessment provide customized services including intensive job search assistance, job seeking skills workshops, referral to non-paid work experience, and placement in on-the-job training.

Testing

The Hopkinsville Department for Employment Services (DES) offers the following testing at their office at 110 Riverfront Drive.

 

TapDance, a suite of tests that can measure proficiencies in Typing, Data Entry, 10-Key Machine, Spelling, Grammar and Math.

Employers can request that TapDance or other tests be used to help determine the qualifications of the job seekers being referred to them. DES staff can also administer a test the employer is currently using. To find out more about any of these tests or to request assistance with your test, you may send your inquiries to deschristian@mail.state.ky.us or call 270-889-6509 for additional information.

Alien Labor Certification   Agricultural The H-2A program establishes a means for agricultural employers who anticipate a shortage of domestic workers to bring nonimmigrant foreign workers to the U.S. to perform labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature.  Kentucky will process approximately 350 contracts and serve over 400 farmers and more than 3,500 guest workers.  For further information, contact Henry Gross or Jeff Gatewood at 502-564-7456.  Email addresses are HenryC.Gross@ky.gov and Jeff.Gatewood@ky.gov   Non-Agricultural The Kentucky Foreign Labor Certification (FLC) program allows employers to hire workers temporarily or permanently when there are not sufficient U.S. workers who are able, willing, qualified and available to perform the job.  In addition, the program ensures that the employment of the foreign workers will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of U.S. workers that are similarly employed. The Office of Employment and Training, in connection with the Department of Labor, is employer driven and is designed to assist in meeting employment needs.  The employer must test the labor market and attempt to recruit US workers through advertisement and OET job orders with the Office of Employment and Training.  PERMANENT: Effective March 28th, information regarding PERMANENT may be obtained at the following websites: www.workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/foreign/perm.asp or www.plc.doleta.gov. For PERMANENT JOB Orders Only, you may go directly to www.AJB.org and submit one online. H-2B: All H2B's will be processed as in the past and will be mailed to the Department of Labor 30 days from the date of receipt, or completion.  The Prevailing Wage Information Request Form should be submitted, and approved in advance, and mailed with the H2-B case. Prevailing Wages: Attached is the OET Prevailing Wage Information Request Form. Allow (14) fourteen working days to process prevailing wage requests. Fax Prevailing Wage Request Forms to Foreign Labor Certification at 502-564-7459. Immigration Issues: Visit the Bureau for Citizenship & Immigration Services website at www.uscis.gov. For additional information, contact George Scott, Program Coordinator at 502-564-7456.  For prevailing wage requests fax to Sondra Wells at 502-564-7459. Email addresses:  GeorgeW.Scott@ky.gov and SondraR.Wells@ky.gov

Workforce Investment Act

The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Program provides specialized services such as employment counseling and training to those who have been permanently laid off due to lack of work or a plant closure and are unlikely to return to work in their previous occupation or industry. WIA Services are available to eligible adults, youth, and dislocated workers. The Ois the state agency responsible for the administration of the employment and training programs funded by WIA.The Pennyrile Workforce Investment Board (PWIB) administers the WIA services in the Hopkinsville area. These include all the One-Stops in this area.

Older Workers

Older Workers who may have been overlooked in the job market in the past are now finding themselves to be a hot product in today’s economy. Older workers are now a significant resource in the labor force. Employers who do not make this discovery will continue to struggle to find the skilled workers needed to compete effectively in this strong economy.

There are many organizations available to assist older workers re-enter the work force, upgrade their skills and find suitable employment that provide information to educate the older worker, the employer and the local community about the value of the older worker and the training opportunities and other resources available to facilitate the employment of older workers.    
        

If you are an employer wanting to recruit employees or obtain employment related information from another state; or you are a job seeker interested in relocating to another state and finding job opportunities in that state, the best place to start is with the Public Employment Agency.

 Public Employment Services