The Central Kentucky Job Club is a collaboration between the University of Kentucky (UK) Fayette County Cooperative Extension Service, UK Alumni Association , UK Human Resources Staff Career Development, local government and business community. The purpose of Job Club is to provide a positive environment for motivated job seekers to meet, connect, share and learn. The group is open to the public and meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, from 9:00–10:15 a.m., at the Fayette Co. Extension Office, 1140 Harry Sykes Way, Lexington, KY. 

Following a community assessment that understated that no other organization offered a free community job search program Job Club was begun in 2012, In its 6th year, it is averages 50+ in attendance, helping scores of job seekers maneuver a difficult point in their lives.  As a land grant institution, Job Club is a free resource to assist and benefit citizens in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. 

Target audiences are those who have been laid off, gone through an unexpected job loss, underemployed or need to find a better work situation.  Meetings feature a guest speaker or panel presenting job search topics such as resume writing, interviewing, LinkedIn, salary negotiation, networking and transferable skills.  Meeting time is reserved for networking and sharing job leads. 

Approximately 1610 unique participants and 217 recruiters attended 146 Job Club meetings. Overall attendance is 5,354  with 186 jobs secured valued at an estimated $8.4M.   

New this year, agent facilitated 6 extended hour workshops that provided additional individualized information on job search strategies with an average of 32 in attendance.

Quotes: 

•  I wanted to share a success story with you. I attended my first job club recently. I was fortunate in that I had a good job but I was in a position that was no longer fulfilling after six years of employment. Your all’s class on Job Search Strategies not only relayed a lot of useful information, it gave me the confidence needed to nail the two interviews I had with the association. I knew even if I didn’t get the job, I was confident that you all would provide the tools needed for me to keeping going and applying. Yesterday, I was offered the role and I accepted it. I want to thank you all for not only the technical information that you provide, but the emotional support as well. Job searching is one of the most daunting tasks that one will ever have to do. The support that you all provide is invaluable. Keep up the good work and remind those in attendance to stay positive and don’t give up. Their time is coming too.
•  You and the rest of your team provide a great service in our community. I always feel better after having been to Job Club.