A group of Eastern Kentuckians is entering the workforce with new credentials and career opportunities after completing hands-on training at TEK Center with support from Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program (EKCEP) and the Kentucky Career Center operated by Big Sandy Area Community Action Program.
The 2025–2026 TEK Center cohort celebrated its graduation early this summer after completing training designed to prepare participants for careers in the skilled trades. Career Center staff at Big Sandy supported participants throughout the process, connecting them with the resources and assistance they needed to complete training and move into employment, including help with tuition.
Big Sandy Area Community Action Program provides workforce services in Floyd, Johnson, Magoffin, Martin,and Pike counties under contract with EKCEP, connecting job seekers with employment, training, and supportive services through the Kentucky Career Center network.
Several TEK Center graduates have already put their new skills to work, securing full-time employment with Amteck, LLC, one of Kentucky’s largest privately held electrical construction firms.
“By removing financial barriers to high-quality technical education, we aren’t just helping individuals earn credentials, we are directly connecting them to sustainable, well-paying careers right here at home,” said Alex Preece, a career advisor with Big Sandy Area Community Action Program. “This cohort’s rapid transition from the classroom to full-time employment with an industry leader like Amteck demonstrates the strength of our local workforce pipeline.”
For participants, connecting with their local Kentucky Career Center provided access to resources that made completing the program possible. Assistance through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) covered eligible tuition costs, allowing students to focus on developing the hands-on skills they would need on the job.
TEK Center, a nonprofit trade school based in Salyersville, offers programs built around the needs of regional employers, preparing students for careers in fields including electrical work, welding, heavy equipment operation, and industrial maintenance mechanics.
The 2025–2026 graduating cohort includes Christopher Triplett, Ronnie Tackett, Kevin Thompson, Jeffrey Childers, Jonathan Ratliff, Jameson Mullins, Ayden Murphy, Michael Caudill, and Haygan Delong.
The cohort’s success is another example of how workforce partnerships connect Eastern Kentuckians with the training and resources they need to build careers close to home while helping regional employers find the skilled workers they need.
Individuals interested in training or career opportunities can contact their local Kentucky Career Center to learn more about available workforce services and financial assistance. Services are available at no cost through the Kentucky Career Center network across EKCEP’s 23-county service area.
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.