Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program (EKCEP), through its local Northeast Kentucky Career Center, is championing a transformative collaboration with the City of Olive Hill, launching a vital apprenticeship program that builds sustainable career pathways in essential public services. This initiative is a direct investment in the community’s future, addressing critical workforce needs and empowering local residents with paid, on-the-job training.
The program’s impact is already being felt by its first participants. Alex Torres is embarking on a new career journey through a Fire/EMT apprenticeship, Nate Hanshaw has formalized his apprenticeship in Water Distribution, and Chandler Davis has begun an apprenticeship in Water Treatment. Each of the participants were connected with the opportunities through the Kentucky Career Center at Northeast Community Action in Carter County.
For Olive Hill Fire Chief Jeremy Rodgers, the partnership addresses longstanding challenges.
“Being in such a small community it is hard to find the funding and resources that we need for a career to start in a town like this,” Rodgers explained. “Just to outfit a firefighter is roughly $5,000; as a volunteer service that takes 35-40 members, that is a huge financial burden on such a small city. Without the support of the mayor, council, and city hall to allow me to go out and think outside the box and use resources the emergency services don’t think about, this wouldn’t be possible.”
Northeast Community Action is part of EKCEP’s network Kentucky Career Centers and provides Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) services in Carter, Elliott, and Lawrence counties. These programs assist people with career development, including apprenticeships that can help people step onto new career paths in their local communities.
“The Career Center took bits and pieces that I threw at them and put all of the pieces together,” Rodgers added, highlighting the collaborative effort in structuring the program, where EKCEP funds 50 percent of salary, training, equipment, and certification costs.
Kara Williamson, Business Services Consultant with the Northeast career center, emphasized the program’s alignment with EKCEP’s core mission.
“This isn’t just about filling jobs; it’s about cultivating long-term careers within our Eastern Kentucky communities,” Williamson stated. “EKCEP empowers local residents to gain valuable skills and secure stable employment without needing to relocate. It’s a direct investment in keeping our talent pool strong.”
Alex Torres, now training as a firefighter and EMT, shared his gratitude: “Northeast has helped me in ways that I really couldn’t imagine. Being here is such an accomplishment to me and being able to get gear and tools has been spectacular,” he said. “I feel like I have been helped in a way to really find out who I want to be and what I want to do and where I want to go. I am really grateful for all of this happening. I agree that what Northeast does for apprentices is fantastic, it’s amazing and there’s nothing else better than this.”
Chandler Davis said he found a new direction thanks to the program. In partnership with the City of Olive Hill and the Kentucky Rural Water Association, his apprenticeship will help him gain valuable, real-world experience through the city’s water treatment plant.
“Northeast has helped me get a career and job that I’ve always wanted,” Davis said. “Before I had gotten into this program I was working at Walmart, and I hadn’t thought that far ahead yet. I would highly recommend anyone to reach out to the Northeast career center. It’s a good opportunity and good career advancement.”
For Nate Hanshaw, whose apprenticeship in water distribution will set him on his own career path, the ability to build a career locally is paramount.
“Being able to go through this program has benefited me a lot, not having to go and hit the road to travel for work. I am able to make a living here at home,” Hanshaw stated. “It’s important to me to stay home and stay local. I grew up here and I have deep roots here, and that is a big part of my life.”
Kentucky faces statewide challenges, such as a shortage of EMTs, paramedics, and water treatment operators, highlighting the essential role of EKCEP’s services. Apprenticeships like these are vital in providing Kentuckians with the pathways needed to start careers in high-demand fields, ultimately benefiting communities across the state.
The City of Olive Hill’s leadership has fully embraced the partnership, recognizing a dual benefit of maintaining essential services while investing in its residents. This initiative, sparked by a Water Plant Supervisor’s connection with the Northeast Career Center, showcases the power of accessible workforce resources.
EKCEP celebrates this collaboration with the City of Olive Hill as a testament to community-focused workforce development. By connecting job seekers with employers, providing critical funding, and tailoring programs to meet distinct local needs, EKCEP continues to forge a stronger economic future for Eastern Kentucky. The program is poised for growth, with potential expansions to include other city departments.