Business and Education Network (BEN)

BEN helps connect the overall community workforce/education resources and businesses to capitalize on the education, arts, culture and environmental assets to attract, retain and develop a diverse talent pool for Lexington and the Central Kentucky region. Our role of connecting employers to schools and local communities helps young people and teachers to understand the workforce needs of business and how they need to be prepared to succeed in college and careers.

BEN programs include:

• Lexmark Teacher Institute
• Entrepreneur Leadership Institute
• Best in the Bluegrass internship/scholarship initiative
• Business & Education Network

Employers need a skilled and motivated workforce. Schools are a critical component to educating students, but they cannot do it alone. At the same time workplace and community partners may not have the time or expertise to navigate public school systems, training providers or funding sources. As an intermediary, the LPWD can help solve issues by convening key regional education and business leaders and other community resources together to make a difference.

It’s all about

• Identifying and building innovative business/education partnerships;
• Incubating and challenging ideas in education and workforce training;
• Better utilizing existing workforce, training and education resources; and
• Researching, identifying and communicating workforce trends/needs/opportunities.

For more information on BEN and how you can be involved, please contact Billie Peavler.