You're Invited: The MI2 Employer Collaborative

Published on
May 28, 2025
September 25, 2025

And the message is clear: if we want to meet the challenges of today’s workforce and prepare for tomorrow’s, we can’t wait for solutions to come to us. We need to build them—together.

That’s why we’re inviting operational leaders who are hiring managers from across Kentucky’s metals industry to join us for something new: a focused, employer-driven effort to create stronger, smarter, and more sustainable career pathways into metals manufacturing.

We’re calling it the MI2 Employer Collaborative, and we’d love for you to be part of it.

OUR CALL TO ACTION? Commitment to join the collaborative by attending a one-day kickoff retreat on June 18 in Elizabethtown. Details below.

What is the MI2 Employer Collaborative?

At its heart, this is a team effort between Kentucky metals employers and the organizations already working to support workforce and education across the state. Think of it as a chance for industry to have a direct seat at the table—with state leaders, educators, workforce experts, and others who are ready to listen and act.

Together, we’ll map out how Kentucky can deliver more targeted, effective training for careers in metals manufacturing—pathways that make sense for both employers and jobseekers. We’re starting with a deep focus on postsecondary education and training, with the goal of building a repeatable model that truly works for our sector.

And we’re starting soon.

A One-Day Strategy Retreat This June

We're beginning with a one-day retreat on June 18th in Elizabethtown. This will be a chance to roll up our sleeves with fellow employers and state leaders, identify the biggest opportunities and barriers in workforce development, and co-create a statewide strategy that reflects what hiring managers are actually seeing on the ground.

Before the retreat, each participating company will have a short discovery call with our team and complete a quick internal survey to help inform the day’s work. After that, we’ll keep working together through a collaborative planning process, with your input driving the direction.

Why You?

Because you live this every day. You know how hard it can be to find the right people. You’ve seen great candidates slip through the cracks, and promising talent fall short of being job-ready—not because they lacked potential, but because the systems meant to support them weren’t built for our industry.

This is your chance to help change that. Not with another one-size-fits-all initiative, but with something grounded in your reality, backed by the resources of the state, and built around metals manufacturing from the start.

What’s the Commitment?

All we’re asking right now is for each company to send one operational leader—someone who understands the company’s workforce needs and is ready to be a thought partner in shaping real solutions. There’s no cost for MI2 members to participate, and we’re keeping it as efficient and actionable as possible. (And, if you're not yet. a member, we'll share more with you on how you can get involved directly with this initiative, whether you become a member or not.)

What Happens After?

This effort is just one part of MI2’s broader vision for growing a resilient, future-ready metals workforce. We’re also working to:

  • Introduce students to metals careers early through K–12 programs
  • Build internship and apprenticeship bridges for high school grads
  • Pilot creative approaches for communities with untapped talent
  • Launch a media campaign that shines a light on the opportunities in our sector

But none of that works without the voice of employers. Your voice.

If you’re ready to step into this work with us—or if you just want to learn more—reach out to Aseia Colles, MI2's Project Coordinator. She can get you the retreat details and answer any questions you’ve got.

Let’s build something together that lasts—and that puts Kentucky’s metals industry on the map as the place where great careers begin.

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