Education & Training

Kentucky Essential Skills (KYES)

Kentucky Graduate Profile

In collaboration with institutional and workforce partners across Kentucky, the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) has continued its mission to equip students with the essential skills necessary for success in today's rapidly evolving workforce. The Kentucky Graduate Profile, established in 2021, identified 10 Essential Skills critical for graduates to thrive post-graduation. These skills form the cornerstone of the educational experience in the state, ensuring that every student who earns a credential from a public postsecondary institution in Kentucky is not only academically prepared but also equipped with the competencies demanded by modern employers. BCTC supports the KY Graduate Profile and Kentucky Essential Skills (KYES) throughout each of its programs.

Effective Communication

KYES-1. Communicate effectively.

Graduates will develop their ability to communicate effectively by listening, weighing influencing factors, and responding accurately and professionally. They will learn to express their thoughts coherently in writing, orally, and in formal presentations.

Critical Thinking

KYES-2. Think critically in order to solve problems and create new ideas and solutions.

Graduates will develop their ability to think critically by evaluating assumptions and assessing information to make informed conclusions. They will also learn to think creatively by combining ideas in original ways or developing new ways of addressing issues.

Quantitative Reasoning

KYES-3. Apply quantitative reasoning skills to analyze and solve numerical problems.

Graduates will hone their ability to provide solutions guided by data and choosing the best methodologies for arriving at informed conclusions.

Cultural Competence

KYES-4. Interact effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.

Graduates will reflect on their own cultural identities, appreciate cultural and intellectual differences, and effectively interact with people from diverse backgrounds. They will have multiple opportunities to collaborate, communicate and work respectfully with people with different perspectives, ideas and cultural beliefs.

Resiliency and Leadership

KYES-5. Adapt to changing circumstances while leading and supporting others.

Graduates will have learned how to accept change and find effective ways to work and thrive in different settings. They will learn to motivate others in the pursuit of a common goal and to coach others in the pursuit of this goal.

Professionalism

KYES-6. Perform professionally within their chosen field of study or occupation.

Graduates will have learned the importance of adhering to the code of ethics in their chosen profession and acting with honesty and fairness. They will have many opportunities to prioritize their tasks, manage their time, take initiative, and demonstrate accountability and reliability.

Civic Engagement

KYES-7. Engage in civic life to improve society.

Graduate will, throughout their college careers, learn from opportunities to engage in political, social and other activities to address issues that benefit society.

Teamwork

KYES-8. Collaborate and work in teams.

Graduates will have had numerous opportunities to collaborate with colleagues, become effective team members, and manage conflict.

Career Readiness

KYES-9. Apply academic knowledge, skills, and abilities to their chosen career.

Graduates will be able to articulate and apply the theoretical content of their academic preparation with relevant knowledge and abilities essential to their chosen career.*

Information Literacy

KYES-10. Use information for decision making.

Graduates will be able to identify, evaluate, and responsibly use information needed for decision making.