During National Apprenticeship Week, local workforce and industry leaders gathered in Perry County to celebrate a new career opportunity for one Eastern Kentucky worker and the continued growth of registered apprenticeship programs across the region.
Letcher Countian Zach Lewis took the next step in his career pathway by signing a registered apprenticeship agreement to train as a diesel technician with Mark Energy, a coal mining and reclamation company based in Letcher County. The agreement brings together Lewis, Mark Energy as the employer sponsor, the Kentucky Office of Industry and Apprenticeship Services, and LKLP Community Action, which provides workforce development services in the region under contract with EKCEP.
The signing recognized not only Lewis’ new opportunity, but also the broader value of apprenticeship programs in building strong workforce pipelines across Eastern Kentucky.
“Registered apprenticeship gives workforce development a practical way to connect people, training, and employers around a real career opportunity,” said Melissa Williams, Business Solutions Coordinator for EKCEP. “For the participant, it creates a clear path forward. For the employer, it helps build the skilled workforce they need to be competitive in the market and retain skilled workers. That is why partnerships like this are so important for Eastern Kentucky.”
Jenni Hampton of Kentucky’s Office of Industry and Apprenticeship Services also spoke during the event, noting that apprenticeship programs continue to expand statewide with a model that allows participants to earn real wages while they learn a new trade and step onto a viable career pathway.
“The latest numbers from the U.S. Department of Labor show 6,301 Kentuckians are actively participating in apprenticeship programs, and that’s up from 3,373 in 2016,” Hampton said. “Registered apprenticeship programs work because participants earn a living wage while training toward a nationally recognized credential.”
Hampton said the wage data shows registered apprenticeship is not only a training model, but a pathway to higher earnings. The average starting wage for an apprentice in Kentucky is $19.39 per hour, while the average wage upon completion rises to $34.72 per hour.
Willie Adams of Mark Energy, who serves as the employer apprenticeship sponsor, joined the signing and encouraged Lewis as he entered the program.
“I know the experience he’s receiving while he’s on the job, along with his dedication and how hard-working he is, will make this a great opportunity for his future,” Adams said.
The event also highlighted the success of a groundbreaking apprenticeship that began last year at LKLP Head Start. The organization launched the region’s first-ever early childhood education registered apprenticeship cohort in January 2025 and has since graduated nine apprentices, with a second cohort underway and a third preparing to begin.
“At LKLP Head Start, we recognize that our most valuable resource in accomplishing our mission is our staff,” said Justin Collett, the program’s director. “Any support we can provide them to be the best they can be while providing quality, comprehensive services is what we want to do, and the registered apprenticeship helped us accomplish that.”
As Lewis signed his official apprenticeship paperwork, local leaders said the moment reflected exactly what National Apprenticeship Week is meant to celebrate: real opportunities, strong employer partnerships, and long-term career pathways for Eastern Kentuckians.
EKCEP continues working with employers, education providers, and community partners across the region to expand apprenticeship opportunities that connect workers to sustainable careers while helping businesses meet workforce needs. If you’re a business owner and are interested in hosting an apprenticeship, contact your local Kentucky Career Center to get started. Find your nearest career center at ekcep.us/locate.
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, and is a proud partner in the American Job Center network. Learn more at ekcep.org.