Interview with Ryan Quarles – KCTCS President
September 9, 2024
Episode 16: Today, Dr. Omar Ayyash, President and CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews Ryan Quarles, President and CEO of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS). Ryan shares some interesting insights about the impact KCTCS is having in its efforts to support Kentucky businesses and our workforce.
Meet Ryan Quarles
Ryan is a 9th generation Kentuckian. He grew up working on his family’s tobacco farm. He attended the University of Kentucky. He later served 5 years as a legislator in Frankfort, before serving 8 years as Kentucky’s Commissioner of Agriculture.
In his new role at KCTCS, he’s beginning a new category of public service as he works with our 16 technical and community colleges, across the Commonwealth.
Omar asks Ryan about his experience as the Ag Commissioner. Ryan points to 3 specific accomplishments. First, his team was the voice for Kentucky agriculture and worked effortlessly to support the farmers who contribute so much to our economy. Second, they played a vital role for economic development. He points out how in many rural counties, farming is the biggest industry and significantly impacts employment. Third, his team helped to launch the Kentucky Hunger Initiative, which formed an important network involving food banks, restaurants, K-12 and others to help address food insecurity issues.
Kentucky has 76,000 farms across the Commonwealth. It’s transitioned into a very diverse array of crops, well beyond tobacco. The vast majority of those farms are family-owned. The commercial agriculture segment is relatively small in Kentucky.
Ryan explains that Kentucky is a large livestock state, lead by our poultry industry (over $1billion). The cattle and horse industry are obvious contributors, as well.
The workforce is changing. Ryan references a recent census in agriculture. Kentucky leads the nation in the number of female operators. One out of 3 farmers in Kentucky are women. Kentucky’s agriculture industry employs a lot of veterans (1 in 10 farmers). Additionally, the agriculture workforce is growing with an influx of people who haven’t had traditional, agriculture backgrounds.
How Global Experiences Impact Local Perspectives
Ryan formed part of his global experience very early, having grown up near the Toyota plant in Georgetown. He visited Japan in high school. He also participated in various trade missions. He traveled with the USDA to Canada. He’s worked toward building relationships in Kenya, related to agriculture. Ryan is proud of the opportunity to represent and promote the Kentucky brand to the world.
Omar comments that it was the initial relationship with Toyota and Kentucky that was the genesis for the launch of the World Trade Center in Kentucky. In 2022, we $32billion in exports. In 2023, it grew to $40billion. The stage is set for even more growth for Kentucky exports. Now, we are going to see the impact of SK International and Ford with the new plant in Glendale. The future looks bright for global business in Kentucky.
Ryan comments that KCTCS just cut the ribbon for a new training center onsite at the new battery plant. The center will help to train and upskill new employees who are going to work at the plant.
Ag Industry Startups
When Ryan was the Agriculture Commissioner, he played an integral role in helping Bluegrass AgTech Development Corp and Lexington come together. He comments on how many great ideas come from a farmer in his farm shop will a welder and duct tape. It’s where ideas are born. He uses that concept to discuss his desire to help develop a business incubator related to agriculture startups in Kentucky.
Pearce Lyons, who founded Alltech, had a vision of Kentucky becoming the startup hub for agriculture in the United States. That was the impetus for the City of Lexington, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and Alltech Inc. to collaborate to bring that vision to reality. Over 70 companies reached out for help, during the first year.
Ryan Goes Back to School
Effective 1/01/24, Ryan started his new role as President and CEO of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. The 16 community colleges across the state include 70 different campuses, 4,000 employees and over 100,000 students. It’s the largest higher-education entity in Kentucky.
The KCTCS is the starting point for many Kentuckians who are moving forward with their education and skills. Some students enter the community college system to later transition to a 4-year university. On the technical side, KCTCS is the premier deliverer of workforce development for welders, mechanics, aviation mechanics, prosthetics-related professionals, etc.
The community colleges form the biggest nursing program in Kentucky. KCTCS trains CDL drivers in the construction industry, including forklift drivers. It’s all about workforce development. Some programs are as quick as 4 weeks, while others might take 11-15 weeks (such as pole operators working on electrical transmission lines). KCTCS is upskilling people so they can earn significant wages in many types of careers. They are open for anyone who wants to change or improve their life.
Many student come to the system right out of high school. Some are adults who are returning to start or finish a degree. Interestingly, KCTCS also plays a significant role in helping individuals in recovery centers overcoming addiction issues, as well as those in Kentucky correctional facilities.
Workforce Issues Are a Key Concern for Many Business Executives
Ryan explains the ongoing calls he receives from business leaders who are having trouble finding enough qualified workers. Those leaders are exploring ways to partner with KCTCS. There are any number of factors impacting the 4.5 million population of Kentucky. People are moving from rural areas to more densely populated areas. In particular, Elizabethtown and Bowling Green are evolving into much larger cities. It’s a population shift that is impacting businesses all across the state.
In terms of economic development, companies are placing a higher value on the availability of the labor force that will enable the expansion of their facilities. KCTCS is evaluating the relevancy of its programs to ensure it is meeting today’s needs/wants of the employers in the Commonwealth. KCTCS is also working to communicate the ways it can assist students to find those high-paying jobs, once they complete their certificates and/or degrees.
KCTCS has programs designed for the immigrant communities. This might include English as a second-language classes. They may want to improve current skills. Often, companies benefit from customized training available for any company (regardless of size) and contact KCTCS to have them develop a training program to meet to their needs and/or situation.
Omar comments on how the World Trade Center Kentucky has developed and adapted programs, such as the International Trade Certification, to meet the ongoing needs of businesses in Kentucky. The WTCKY equips employees to understand and work in areas related to international business and global trade.
Ensuring Our Students Have a Global Mindset
Dr. Ayyash points out that even if you aren’t traveling overseas, you may certainly have colleagues who come from diverse cultures and experiences. Cultivating a global mindset will help you to thrive in an ever-changing business environment.
Ryan explains that the international programs offered by the KCTCS are growing. Jefferson Community and Technical College in Louisville has a long history of success in these areas. Bluegrass Community and Technical College in Lexington has a similar history. KCTCS offers international opportunities to travel and study oversees.
Bowling Green has a significant immigrant population, including many from Bosnia. KCTCS offers classes and programs to assist those individuals. They are truly as school for anybody and everybody.
Many of the programs offered by KCTCS, such as welding, can take you around the world. Those skills are in high-demand on a global basis.
By cultivating customized training with Kentucky companies, KCTCS can emphasize this is only one of many different components that are beneficial to both the student and the employers of the state.
Soft-skills are also a point of emphasis in the KCTCS curriculum. Professionalism is a core component to developing important relationships with employers and in advancing their respective careers.
Ryan notes that KCTCS is very nimble. If you’re looking to improve your life, they probably have a program for you.
Omar references the Cross-Cultural Understanding training program presented by the WTCKY. It originally was developed for companies, but now is evolving into the education sector, including UK and Bellarmine University. This may be an opportunity for WTCKY and KCTCS to partner in the future.
Focusing on the Future
As we wrap up the conversation, Ryan comments on the future for the Kentucky Community and Technical Colleges System. The core objective is to ensure KCTCS remains focused on providing the workforce needs of Kentucky businesses. During 2024, innovation and change will take-hold throughout the system.
A KCTCS facility is within a 30-minute drive of all Kentuckians. It’s a huge footprint within the Commonwealth. Ensuring the system remains relevant to the employers across the state is an important goal.
Ryan anticipates January 2025 legislation to celebrate the success KCTCS has had over the previous 25 years. Then, it’s about preparing for the next 25 years of workforce development and changing lives for Kentuckians.
If a business approaches KCTCS asking for help, wanting help with workforce by connecting students with that business, Ryan’s vision is that workforce development is engrained in the culture and is just as important as academic success. KCTCS is part of the economy and will remain the premier workforce development are of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Omar wraps up the episode by asking about what Ryan does in his pastime? Ryan continues to farm and is launching a roadside market offering products produced by Quarles Farms in rural Kentucky. One of his hobbies is dry-stone masonry. When he has time, he’s also an avid hunter and outdoorsman.
Ryan observes that while Kentucky is a landlocked state, we are defined by our success in international markets. While Kentucky needs international trade, more importantly, the world needs Kentucky products.
To Contact Ryan Quarles:
Office Phone: (859) 256-3132
Meeting Requests: Melissa.eaton@kctcs.edu
Website: https://kctcs.edu/
Upcoming WTCKY EVENTS:
- 09/17/24 – Global Executive Forum – Empowering Women Leadership in Global Trade
- 10/12/24 – Global Trade Mission 2004 – Dubai, UAE
- 11/12/24 – International Trade Certification Program (3 days)
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