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 553 contracts and serve over 763 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.e3.ky.gov 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, Section Supervisor at 502-564-7456.  For prevailing wage requests fax to Roanna Brown at 502-564-7459. Email addresses:  GeorgeW.Scott@ky.gov and Roanna.Brown@ky.gov.
 

Labor Market Information

Labor Market Information is available to assist employers, job seekers, students, economic developers, planners, and researchers understand Kentucky’s economy and make informed labor market decisions.  There is a wide range of economic planning information, industry and occupational information, and social and demographic information, along with other pertinent data and information available to assist many varied private and governmental customers.  The primary location where labor market and workforce information is housed is on the Workforce Kentucky Internet web site.  Click on:  www.WorkforceKentucky.ky.gov to access this information.  Contact the Research and Statistics Branch at (502) 564-7976 for additional assistance.   

Federal Contract Job Listings (FCJL)

All employers who have contracts (or subcontracts) with the Federal Government of $100,000 or more are required by federal law to list their job openings with the state employment agency in the state where the job openings exist, or list their job openings on America’s Job Bank. These employers are required to use affirmative action in hiring certain veterans to fill those job openings and must file an annual report with Veterans Employment and Training Services (VETS) showing the number of campaign veterans and special disabled veterans on their work force. 

If you are an employer with a federal contract, the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training (OET) will assist you with meeting your recruitment requirements of the Federal Contractor Job Listing.  In accordance with federal law, veterans automatically receive priority in referral on all job openings. As an employer you will greatly benefit from hiring hard working, disciplined, job-ready veterans who bring valuable skills and experience in the latest technology to industries and businesses like yours each day. 

You may list your openings on-line or call the nearest Office of Employment and Training office to post job openings.

Unemployment Insurance

Funded by employers 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.