Troy Dennis is a senior at Lee County High School, and he’s already steering his future in the right direction, straight from the district’s maintenance garage.
Through his participation in Prosper Appalachia, an initiative of the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program, Inc. (EKCEP), Dennis is gaining valuable hands-on experience through paid work-based learning right on campus.
Dennis’s Career Development Specialist, Cheyenne Moore, along with the Kentucky Career Center at Middle KY Community Action, helped him secure his current placement at the garage where he shadows seasoned mechanics, learning key maintenance skills, and getting a head start on a career he’s passionate about.
Just two weeks into his work experience, Dennis had already received his first paycheck and learned how to rotate tires, change oil, and assist with vehicle inspections. These are valuable skills that reinforce his classroom learning with practical experience.
“I love it,” Dennis said. “If I could change one thing, it’s that I could be there all day!”
He shared that working in the garage is strengthening his determination to pursue a long-term career as a diesel mechanic.
Danny Wright, Chief Operations Officer at Lee County Schools, emphasized the value of Prosper Appalachia from an employer’s perspective: “You can learn a lot of great things in the classroom, but there’s no better teacher than actual real-life work experience. Prosper Appalachia has given us the resources to bring in students like Troy who are following their career pathways and now getting to practice their skills in a real-world setting.”
Wright noted the extra help has been a win-win for students and staff alike, and for the students, they’re not just learning, they’re contributing. He also encouraged other employers to get involved and host similar work-based learning opportunities for students enrolled in Prosper Appalachia.
“At some point, we all needed someone to give us that first work experience,” Wright said. “This program does that with a built-in support system from the school to help guide the student along the way.”
Prosper Appalachia is funded in part by a grant from the Kentucky General Assembly as part of the Putting Young Kentuckians First initiative. It connects high school students like Dennis with opportunities to explore career paths, earn money, and develop real workforce skills before graduation. While Dennis is pursuing diesel mechanics, students can also explore other career paths like healthcare, technology, education, construction, and more.
“Seeing students like Troy Dennis thrive is exactly why Prosper Appalachia exists,” said Becky Miller, EKCEP Executive Director. “We’re not just offering job experiences, we’re empowering young people with the skills, confidence, and vision to build fulfilling careers right here in Eastern Kentucky.”
Prosper Appalachia has served nearly 1,300 seniors across 32 high schools in Eastern Kentucky. Interested in getting involved? Students and parents can visit https://ekcep.org/programs-services/youth/ to learn more about how to enroll. Employers interested in hosting student placements can contact their local Kentucky Career Center to learn how to participate.
EKCEP, a nonprofit workforce development agency headquartered in Hazard, Ky., serves the citizens of 23 Appalachian coalfield counties. EKCEP is funded by the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, along with various federal and state grants and private donations. Learn more at ekcep.org.
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