EKU’S OFFICE OF REGIONAL STEWARDSHIP HELPS MAKE KENTUCKY WORK READY

Bruce Carpenter wears many hats while working to serve southern Kentucky. He is the Executive Director of the Corbin Economic Development Agency, the Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and the Southeast Kentucky Industrial Development Authority, a regional partnership between six southeastern Kentucky counties. 

All of these organizations are designed to help other businesses thrive by creating a strong economic climate in the region. Carpenter says when he learned about the Kentucky Work Ready program – which prepares skilled workers to attract potential employers – he knew the Tri-County area needed to become strongly engaged.

Carpenter reached out to David McFaddin, Eastern Kentucky University Vice President for Engagement, Regional Stewardship and Government Relations, who provided assistance with getting the program off the ground. Office of Regional Stewardship staff worked with Carpenter to form the Work Ready working committees for both Knox and Whitley counties and facilitated meetings, producing the work needed to apply for Work Ready-in-progress certification.

With EKU’s assistance, both counties, were certified as Work Ready-in-Progress by the Kentucky Workforce Investment Board.EKU Regional Stewardship staff also helped Laurel County put the finishing touches on its Work Ready-in-Progress application. 

In order to be certified as a Work Ready-in-Progress community, both counties had to meet pre-determined thresholds in the areas of Graduation Rate, National Career Readiness Certificate Holders, Community Commitment, Educational Attainment, Soft Skills Development and Digital Literacy. The counties have approximately three years to implement the necessary requirements to move from Work Ready-in-Progress to Work Ready.

“This program allows us to demonstrate to industries that we have a trained workforce ready and waiting,” Carpenter said. “We are looking forward to continuing our partnership with EKU as we work toward full Work Ready Certification.”

In addition to work performed for the Whitley and Knox application, EKU Regional Stewardship staff allocated student intern hours from the LINC (Liaisons Improving Networks and Connections) program toward assisting Jackson County with its successful Work Ready-in-Progress application. 

Kentucky is the third state to begin certifying counties as Work Ready Communities based on the quality of their labor force.

For more information about the program, visit workready.ky.gov.

Published on July 09, 2018