Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education approved as Department of Defense SkillBridge employer

November 11, 2025

The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) has been formally approved by the U.S. Department of Defense as an official SkillBridge employer, marking a significant step forward in the Commonwealth’s commitment to supporting service members as they transition to civilian careers.

The SkillBridge program allows active-duty military personnel to participate in civilian job training or internships during their final 180 days of service, offering valuable experience and professional connections that ease the shift into the civilian workforce.

On October 14, 2025, CPE welcomed its first SkillBridge participant, Corporal Connor Darby, U.S. Marine Corps, who began a 16-week internship within CPE’s Workforce and Economic Initiatives unit. His work focuses on workforce policy development, postsecondary and veteran pathway alignment, support for the Heroes to Healers (H2H) initiative, and strategies to expand veteran engagement among Kentucky employers.

CPE President Dr. Aaron Thompson said the partnership represents both an investment in Kentucky’s workforce and a reflection of the Commonwealth’s gratitude for military service.

“When we talk about building a stronger Kentucky, we’re talking about ensuring that every citizen—especially those who’ve served—has the opportunity to apply their talents here at home,” said Thompson. “The SkillBridge partnership allows us to retain military expertise, promote economic mobility for veterans, and build a more resilient and veteran-ready public workforce.”

Dr. Leslie Sizemore, CPE’s Vice President for Workforce and Economic Initiatives, said the program also positions CPE as a model for other public-sector employers across the state.

“Corporal Darby’s placement demonstrates how public agencies can actively engage with the military talent pipeline,” said Sizemore. “By aligning military-acquired skills with Kentucky’s workforce needs, we’re helping veterans move into meaningful roles in policy, education, and leadership—and showing that government itself can be an innovative partner in that transition.”

CPE’s participation in SkillBridge aligns with broader state priorities to connect education, workforce, and economic development systems while ensuring that veterans’ experience and leadership continue to benefit Kentucky communities. Other CPE initiatives aimed at providing Kentucky’s military and former military personnel with education and career opportunities can be found at Futuriti.org’s military resources page. Futuriti’s Future Finder also allows individuals to see which military careers align to civilian jobs in Kentucky’s workforce.