Educators focused on preparing students for employer needs

HCHS is home to Kentucky’s largest Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, with more than 1,100 students participating in three- and four-year programs that award industry-recognized certifications in areas such as welding, machining, and tooling — and provide opportunities for co-op work with local employers.

Building a steady pipeline of workers begins in elementary and middle school, as students become familiar with the programs and career opportunities available to them. By 8th grade, students participate in hands-on demonstrations of subject areas, helping them choose the programs that appeal to them. Proof of the program’s success is evident in graduate statistics. A full 100 percent of students in high school engineering programs enroll in higher education. Nearly two-thirds of students from the welding program enter employment in that field, while another fifth of them continue their education at the postsecondary level. Nearly 40 percent of machining and tooling students take jobs in that field after graduation, with half of the students moving into additional postsecondary training.

MCHS offers career and technical education programs that focus on agriculture, family & consumer science and marketing pathways.  In addition, students in grades 10 -12 may attend the Kentucky Community and Technical College system for vocational exploratory experiences and/or training.  Seniors are also encouraged to apply for the Kyndle FAME program.

UCHS offers students a variety of career and technical education (CTE) programs, such as the industrial maintenance technology program that’s based on NCCER Industrial Maintenance Mechanic certifications. After graduation, more than half of UCHS students pursue additional postsecondary classes or training, while more than a third take their training straight into the workforce.

WCHS offers a broad variety of career and technical education (CTE) programs. To ensure that programs deliver the relevant skills, local employers serve on program advisory committees and school-wide steering committees. Students have opportunities for work-based learning through co-op employment and internships. The success of these programs is evident in data about graduates, with 100 percent of the 2016 class either continuing their education or entering the workforce.

CTE programs include business education, which delivers Microsoft Office Specialist and ASK (Assessment of Skills and Knowledge for Business) certifications; computer-aided design, with Autodesk AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor certifications; health sciences, through which students can earn State Registered Nurse Aide and Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant certifications; machine tool technology, welding technology, and industrial maintenance. Seniors are also encouraged to apply for the Kyndle FAME program, and many students participate in career and technical student organizations to develop technical and leadership skills. Other available activities include the Murray State University Construction Career Day and Engineering Day, as well as National Manufacturing Day.

Job Corps is a no-cost education and career technical training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that helps young people ages 16 to 24 improve the quality of their lives through career technical and academic training. The Job Corps program is authorized by Title I-C of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (supersedes WIA 1998).

FAME (Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education) is an apprenticeship-style work and learn program that allows students to earn an industry-recognized degree while gaining valuable work experience. Students attend classes at Henderson Community College two days a week, and work at their sponsoring companies on the other days. In as little as five semesters (about 18 months), they graduate with an Associate’s degree, and many are hired for full-time positions with their sponsoring companies. The employers work closely with the educators to ensure that students are learning exactly what they need to know. Beyond technical skills, students learn soft skills like timeliness, professionalism, and the importance of a drug-free work environment.

Part of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, HCC enrolls more than 2,200 students in academic, technical, and transfer programs, while training an additional 4,000+ local residents through continuing education programs.

Programs are designed around both technical and soft skills needed by the state’s employers. Among the programs available at HCC are welding technology, Industrial Maintenance Technology, and Class CDL instruction. The college’s Workforce Solutions Team can also provide customized training and assessment services at employer locations.

NKTC serves the four Kyndle Region counties by creating and coordinating cost-effective training and educational opportunities built around employer needs, enhancing the local workforce’s skill level. This non-profit partnership between employers, educators, and other training/employment service providers offers a variety of workshops and programs, among them Prepping New Hires for Success, Business Communication Skills, Professionalism 101, Conflict Resolution, and a supervisor certificate program.