© 2024 WMKY
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

KEDC Receives Federal Grant

The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) with the U.S. Department of Labor announced its formal acceptance of a grant proposal from the Kentucky Educational Development Corporation (KEDC).

“We are ecstatic about the opportunity this grant affords us,” said KEDC CEO Nancy Hutchinson. “The Youth Career Connect program is designed to assist high school students smoothly transition into the world of work. Our KEDC Board of Directors, comprised of over 60 local superintendents, commits itself to the long-term economic and social well-being of our Commonwealth.”

The Kentucky Board of Education has made “College and Career Readiness” for all Kentucky’s students its first priority. Those students who want to go from high school into a career rather than college will now have specific career counseling and other opportunities. By targeting ten schools and more than 1,800 students in eastern Kentucky, KEDC will provide training that combines academic and technical subjects about specific industries and careers. 

Partners include Morehead State University, Kentucky One Health and Baptist Health, Kentucky Career and Technical College System, Tarter Industries, Highlands Diversified Service, Ashland Iron Works, New Horizons, WKYT-Television, Big A-Solutions (industrial fans), Link-Belt Cranes, and Project Lead the Way. Also agreeing to work with the YCC Program are the Directors of the Work Force Investment Areas (Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program (EKCEP), Lake Cumberland Area Development District (LCADD), and the Bluegrass Workforce Investment Board.

“Five million dollars spread over five years will certainly help us reach our kids. I can’t wait to get started,” said Clabe Slone project director of the Teach American History program for KEDC. He also wrote the grant proposal. 

The 10 high schools are in the following school districts: Lawrence, Johnson, Lee, Garrard, Casey, Middlesboro Independent, Pulaski (two schools), and Knox (two schools).