EKCEP’s Prosper Appalachia program is proving to be a significant catalyst for career development and opportunity in Eastern Kentucky, connecting young individuals with local businesses and helping them forge paths toward their future goals.
The program recently matched two Carter County youth with perfectly aligned work experience placements. Brandon Russell and Timothy Slone, both placed at Grayson’s Cell Tech, a company specializing in cellphone repair, computer repair, and data recovery services, for paid work experience, and their manager, David Brown, have seen firsthand what this program can do. Together, their stories show what Prosper Appalachia is all about.
Prosper Appalachia is funded in part by the Kentucky Legislature’s Putting Young Kentuckians First initiative. The primary goal is to give students a jumpstart on their careers by helping them explore and connect with employment opportunities within their own Eastern Kentucky communities.
Brandon Russell first encountered Prosper Appalachia during a cafeteria meeting where a Career Development Specialist had set up an informational table. His primary motivation for joining was straightforward: he needed money. However, the program offered much more than a paycheck.
“The program assisted me with career exploration specifically for cybersecurity because it had computers, phones, and everything I needed at the ready,” Russell shared.
Cybersecurity has been a long-held interest for Russell, sparked by his older brother’s experiences. “My brother joined the Army at a very young age and left home at 17 to go fix stuff in cybersecurity trucks for the military, so I’ve learned a lot about computers,” Russell explained.
He feels the program has significantly boosted his preparedness for the workforce, offering him a taste of professional life beyond entry-level jobs outside his chosen field. This hands-on experience not only solidified his career aspirations but also aided in his college selection process. To those hesitant about joining, Russell advises, “I would say it’s okay to be scared about joining the Prosper Appalachia Program if you are hesitant but it’s not okay to not try or quit.”
Similarly, Timothy Slone learned about Prosper Appalachia through Audra Foltz, one of the program’s Career Development Specialists through Northeast Kentucky Community Action, who facilitated his current employment. Slone’s motivation to join stemmed from a need for a job. The program has provided him with invaluable experience.
“Because of this job, I feel like I have gained a lot of experience,” Slone said. “And if I did get a job in this career, I would be good at it because of the experience from the Prosper Appalachia program.”
Slone’s time with Prosper Appalachia, including discussions with Foltz, helped him weigh options and solidify his plans to pursue computer sciences and collegiate eSports—a path he hadn’t seriously considered before. Slone enthusiastically recommends the program, saying, “It gets you going on the right path that you want.”
The program’s positive impact extends to local employers as well. David Brown, Cell Tech’s store manager, where Russell and Slone are currently working, has seen firsthand the benefits of their participation.
“Having Brandon and Timmy here has been very beneficial. It’s helped us with our efficiency, and getting tickets in and out. They are also great with customers as well, it’s been really great having them here,” Brown commented.
He wholeheartedly endorses the program for other businesses.
“I would recommend this program to any employer. It helps us local employers, while also helping people find jobs and I’ve enjoyed it. It has helped me have more people to talk with,” Brown added.
The success stories of Russell and Slone are further underscored by their recent achievements. Both have signed with Georgetown College, where they will be playing eSports for the next four years, each with a $32,000 annual scholarship—a testament to their dedication and the opportunities fostered by programs like Prosper Appalachia.
Students and employers interested in participating in the Prosper Appalachia program should contact their local Kentucky Career Center, which can be found at https://ekcep.org/find-a-career/.
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.