The Goodwill Opportunity Center in Morehead, in partnership with Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program (EKCEP), is proud to announce the latest success story from its workforce development initiative: Terry Shawn Luke, a 50-year-old Hillsboro, KY resident, is fully prepared to take his Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) test on December 18, 2025, marking a significant milestone in his career and personal journey toward stability.
Luke, currently residing at a Pathways recovery facility, exemplifies the transformative impact of integrated workforce training. Motivated to overcome past justice involvement, Luke sought meaningful employment to reestablish stability and secure a professional career in the high-demand logistics sector.
Luke’s success is the result of diligently completing all prerequisites for the CDL training program:
Comprehensive Program Engagement: He successfully completed the RISE program, including the creation of a detailed action plan, Safety Skills Management (SSM), and the My Next Move assessment.
Educational Attainment: Mr. Luke completed the necessary FAFSA and KNOTE testing, attended all required admissions appointments at Maysville Community and Technical College (MCTC), and fulfilled every prerequisite for the CDL curriculum.
Workforce Certifications: In collaboration with EKCEP, he completed the essential Work Sense training, earning his certificate at the recent Community Thanksgiving event, highlighting his readiness for the professional environment.
Luke’s imminent entry into the trucking industry, a critical component of the national economy, is a testament to the power of community-focused, collaborative workforce development efforts. His commitment to achieving long-term personal and career goals remains strong.
About Recovery and Reentry: The Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program’s Recovery and Reentry (R&R) Services division is a specialized workforce development initiative dedicated to helping individuals in recovery from substance use disorder successfully reenter the workforce. This program provides comprehensive support, including personalized career advising, skills development, financial aid for barrier relief, and strategic job placement with “second-chance” employers. While EKCEP’s primary service area covers 23 counties in Eastern Kentucky, its R&R initiatives extend their reach beyond the typical 23-county boundary through partnerships and specific program grants into over 70 counties across Kentucky.
About the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program (EKCEP): 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.