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The centerpiece of the Kentucky Community & Technical College System (KCTCS) workforce and economic development efforts is the KCTCS-TRAINS program. KCTCS-TRAINS is part of the Kentucky Skills Network, which is a partnership of workforce professionals from the Cabinet for Economic Development, Kentucky Career Center (Education & Workforce Development Cabinet), Labor Cabinet and KCTCS who are dedicated to providing solutions-based services for you. Through KCTCS-TRAINS, KCTCS colleges work with you to provide the training your employees need to keep your company competitive in today's global economy.

Through KCTCS-TRAINS, companies receive funding to assist with the cost of providing workforce training and assessment services to current, as well as, potential employees.  KCTCS-TRAINS funds are distributed on a project basis and require a company cash match of 50%. The KCTCS Workforce Solutions staff will assist companies in developing training plans and applying for KCTCS-TRAINS funding.

Companies may apply individually or as a training network with other companies. The training networks meet common training needs of business and industry from various sectors of the economy. The network approach is successful because companies who only need one or two employees trained are able to join with other companies to obtain cost-effective and timely training.  KCTCS Workforce Solutions staff will assist companies in developing the training networks.

The Office of Workforce Solutions of Somerset Community College

The Office of Workforce Solutions of Somerset Community College is the Kentucky Career Center - Cumberlands provider for short-term training, technical skills, and customized training to business and industry. Adult, community and continuing education will add to the college's mission by providing proprietary training and lifelong learning opportunities. The Office of Workforce Solutions will actively participate in the development of a vibrant community in the area we serve. Learn More at The Office of Workforce Solutions of Somerset Community College.

The Bluegrass State Skills Corporation (BSSC) was established in 1984 by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky as an independent, de jure corporation to stimulate economic development through programs of skills training to meet the needs of business and industry. The BSSC, in cooperation and coordination with other state employment and training organizations, has the capability to customize a comprehensive program of skills training services for new, expanding, and existing industries. The BSSC is attached to the Cabinet for Economic Development for administrative purposes, in recognition of the relationship between economic development and skills training efforts. 

The BSSC's four main functions are: 

  • To facilitate and administer Kentucky's industry specific training programs through grants-in-aid and skills training investment credits approved by the BSSC Board of Directors;  
  • To act as a broker, by coordinating the resources of providers of skills training and employers; 
  • To facilitate the creation of public/private partnerships through education and training programs designed to meet unfilled training needs of individual and multiple (training consortia) company training projects; and
  • To administer any special state appropriation for industry specific training. 

    The BSSC provides grants for training of workers of Kentucky's new and expanding companies and for skills and occupational upgrade training for workers of Kentucky's existing companies. The Skills Training Investment Credit program can only be accessed by qualified existing companies that have been engaged in a qualified activity within Kentucky for not less than three years. For details on each of these programs, visit their website at http://www.thinkkentucky.com/bssc.

You Hire - You Train - We Pay

On the Job Training (OJT) is a method of providing individualized occupational skills training for Dislocated Workers and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act eligible customers. OJT's objective is to assist businesses with training in high-demand occupations that meet the needs of the employer. The goal of the OJT program is to place participants in occupations that will enhance their prospects for long-term employment. OJT involves the acquisition of specific skills and employment competencies, through exposure in an actual work setting, to the processes, work tasks, tools and methods of a specific job or group of jobs.

Implemented through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the employer enters into an agreement to hire, train and retain the individual upon successful completion of the training program. Through this "hire-first" program, businesses may be reimbursed up to 50% of the new employee’s wages while they are in training (not to exceed $2,000.00).

Workforce Investment Act Incumbent Worker Training 

This program provides customized employee training for existing businesses. The Incumbent Worker Training Program is designed to benefit businesses and industries by assisting in the skills development of existing workers and thus increasing employee productivity and encouraging the permanency and growth of the business. Employees participating in the program receive skill upgrade training. 

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) provides financial assistance to economically disadvantaged, special needs populations, and dislocated workers who have lost employment due to technological changes, plant closures, or foreign competition.

WIOA provides assistance with tuition, textbooks, and required supplies. A daily stipend for the use of child care, travel expenses, and other expenses is provided to eligible students. WIOA serves residents of all Kentucky Career Center - Cumberlands counties.

Eligibility is determined by economic and employment status, as well as choice of program. Job placement assistance is offered to all WIOA participants upon completion of occupational training. For additional information and applications, call a Kentucky Career Center – Cumberlands office (listed below) download one of the following forms or check out any of these websites for additional financial assistance.

Adult and Dislocated Workers Application (Word Doc) 

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) 

Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) 

U.S. Department of Education's Direct Loan Program 

AC Online - Kentucky Online Universities & Schools