Carter County student Roy Utley is beginning to figure out his career path thanks to his participation in Prosper Appalachia, where a work-based learning placement has helped turn his interest in emergency healthcare into hands-on experience and first-responder training.
Through Prosper Appalachia, Utley participated in a paid work experience with the West Carter County Volunteer Fire Department. The opportunity was organized through Prosper Appalachia, which is administered in Carter County through a partnership between the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program (EKCEP), Northeast Kentucky Community Action Agency, and a network of local partner employers and schools. Prosper Appalachia helps coordinate early-career pathways for young adults across EKCEP’s 23-county Appalachian service area.
At the firehouse, Utley took part in trainings, responded to calls, helped clean around the station, and experienced what he described as the day-to-day responsibilities of a firefighter. He said the experience gave him a clearer understanding of what he wanted to do after high school.
The program also helped Utley complete paperwork and career assessments, giving him a chance to better understand his interests and long-term goals. While he initially planned to pursue HVAC, the hands-on firehouse experience helped him realize he wanted to take a different career path.
“Originally, I wanted to do HVAC technician, but working through this program, I realized I wanted to switch over to be a career fireman, EMT,” Utley said. “It gave me a head start because it showed me the real-world experience that I need to be a career fireman.”
By providing a wage for his time on the shift, Prosper Appalachia eliminates the economic pressure that often forces local youth to take unrelated, entry-level positions just to make ends meet.
“It allowed me to focus my concentration on the fire department and not have to worry about another job,” Utley explained. “If I didn’t have this organization, I would not be able to focus as much on the fire department … and possibly not even think about this career path.”
Utley officially began professional Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification classes immediately after completing his internship. He credits the rigorous operational training and the administrative planning support he received from his career advisor with giving him the clarity to commit fully to a life-saving career.
“Prosper Appalachia helped me with my career path to be able to work at the firehouse to get those experiences, to get those trainings, and the real-world experience,” Utley noted. “I highly encourage anybody that wants to do this organization. It really helps you out to get a head start on your future career.”
Prosper Appalachia is funded in part through support from the Kentucky General Assembly, but private donations help EKCEP expand critical work experience opportunities for students across Eastern Kentucky.
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.