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The Cumberlands Workforce Development Board (CWDB) is pleased to announce that Aaron Poynter has been named a 40-Under-40 award recipient by the Young Professionals of Lake Cumberland (YPLC). The recognition profiles young professionals throughout the Lake Cumberland region who have made significant impacts in their profession and communities.
Aaron is the Director of Reentry Programming for the South Central and Cumberlands Workforce Development Boards. Working for the workforce development boards, he has been instrumental in the development of programming targeted at reducing and eliminating barriers to employment for individuals across the 23-county region. Often these obstacles include housing, training, access to food, and other basic needs, which have to be met simultaneously while achieving successful employment.
"The Workforce Board is extremely proud of all of Aaron’s contributions, his commitment, and passion for the work in Re-entry," said Myra Wilson, Director of Workforce Development, Cumberlands Workforce Development Area. "He is a pleasure to work with daily. He aspires others to achieve their dreams and goals by setting this example in his life. We are looking forward to launching other pilot programs that Aaron has partnered to develop for our 13 counties."
At the awards ceremony, held Saturday, October 23, 2021, at the Center for Rural Development in Somerset, Ky, two specific examples of Poynter's professional community involvement were highlighted as part of his recognition.
First, the awards panel pointed out Aaron's research, planning, and development of a web-based application – Kentucky Area Resources or www.KARES.us which assists in connecting locally based resources to individuals in need. The services are segmented by county and offer information on career training, health care, schools, government assistance, transportation, housing, child care, food needs, clothing, substance abuse, faith-based agencies, and more. This application was initially launched in Russell County and Hart County Kentucky with a goal to have the entire region connected within a year.
Second, it was noted how the CWDB's Re-Entry & Transformational Employment divisions through partnerships with Somerset Community College, Goodwill, and the Pulaski County Detention Center were able to send eight Pulaski County inmates through a Welders Certificate Program, provide resume/application assistance, host a mock interview, and provide clothing for interviews with two local employers. All eight inmates graduated from SCC's Workforce Re-entry program receiving welder's helper certificates.
Not only is Poynter an accomplished program leader, he also volunteers his time to serve others both professionally and within his community. Poynter gives his time to his community as a member of the United Way of South Central Kentucky Board of Directors, the Southern Kentucky Reentry Council Board of Directors, the Russell County Ethics Board, an assistant football/strength coach for Russell County High School, a Youth League volunteer coach, the Adult Sunday School Teacher and Outreach Director of Union Baptist Church, and many other community activities.
Aaron is a proud alumnus of Western Kentucky University (2015), The Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training (2014), and the Leadership Kentucky BRIGHT (2019) and Elevate (2021) programs.
His commitment to improving the community around him both professionally and personally makes him an outstanding member of the Lake Cumberland region, and the CWDB is proud to congratulate him on his 40-Under-40 award.
"We have so many talented young professionals in the region committed to community development, bettering the region or accomplishing great feats in their industry, and oftentimes, some of those individuals may not receive well-deserved recognition. That's what we want to do," stated Kelli Chaney Latham, 2021 YPLC Board President.
Annual 40-Under-40 events have become commonplace in larger metropolitan areas; however, the Lake Cumberland region has never formally recognized a group of young local standouts in one organized event. YPLC Board Members organized their first event to encourage young professionals to continue working to improve their region and industry.
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Commonwealth Coders is a 16-week training course that prepares participants for a career as a Junior Web Developer. Commonwealth Coders registration is now open and training is set to start in January 2022. Generous financial aid is available and many will qualify for this training at little to no cost! The average base salary for a Jr. Web Developer is $67,791 annually (Source: Indeed, July 18, 2020).
Previous coding or computer training is not required: however, Algebra skills and a strong work ethic are greatly encouraged.
There is no cost or obligation to apply. If you are interested in participating, please set aside approximately 20 minutes to complete this initial survey, making sure all of your responses are complete and comprehensive. While this is the first step toward becoming a student in the program, it is an important one. Please make your very best effort as spots will be limited.
Commonwealth Coders debuted across the state in August 2021 as a collaborative effort between the South Central, Cumberlands, Bluegrass, and Northern Kentucky Workforce Boards. The success of the first classes and the growing demand for web developers, especially ones who can work remotely, led to the course’s expansion.
To learn more and take the initial interest survey visit https://commonwealthcoders.com
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For eight Pulaski County inmates, Thursday marked a day of celebration and gratitude. Each inmate graduated from Somerset Community College’s Workforce Re-entry program, receiving welder’s helper certificates.
The Cumberlands Workforce Development Board Re-Entry & Transformational Employment divisions through partnerships with Somerset Community Technical College, Goodwill, and the Pulaski County Detention Center were able to send the inmates through the course, provide resume/application assistance, host a mock interview, were provided clothing for the interview as well as meet and interview with 2 local employers.
The next class will be entirely female and begin in early October.
Watch a WYMT Mountain News feature story on this initial class: https://www.wymt.com/2021/10/01/eight-pulaski-county-inmates-graduate-workforce-re-entry-program/
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SAVE THE DATE! Goodwill is having their Fall Festival (Job Fair) on Thursday, September 30, 2021 at the Center For Rural Development, 2282 South Highway 27, Suite 300 in Somerset, KY 42501. The Fair runs from 10am to 1pm with an Expungement clinic at 9am. This event is free and lunch will be provided to all who attend.
Employers and Community Agencies: If you would like to be part of this job fair, register online at: goodwillky.org/fallfestival
For our Expungement clinic, you can pre-register online at: goodwillky.org/expungements
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Resources available to help jobless as pandemic unemployment programs end
FRANKFORT, Ky., (Aug. 30, 2021) — As federal pandemic unemployment insurance (UI) programs expire on Sept. 6, claimants who need help finding work or career services can turn to more than a dozen Kentucky Career Center offices across the commonwealth for help.
Staff in each of the regional centers can provide job leads and job search assistance as well as adult education and vocational rehabilitation services, said Labor Cabinet Secretary Jamie Link. He also said staff in centers could provide information about apprenticeship opportunities and help career professionals overhaul and polish their resumes.
“Career center employees have a thumb on the pulse of the local economy in each region, and they know who is hiring and how to get people in touch,” Link said. “If you are looking for a job, it’s a great place to start, and everyone is welcome – those services do not require an appointment in most of the Kentucky Career Centers.”
Federal pandemic unemployment insurance benefit programs are set to expire nationwide on Sept. 6. Unemployment insurance claimants in Kentucky will no longer be able to claim benefits under any of the following federal pandemic programs: Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), or Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation (MEUC).
The last payable week for those programs in Kentucky is the week ending Sept. 4, regardless of the balance of the benefits remaining on individual UI claims. The Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance will ensure that claimants who are waiting to receive eligibility determinations will receive payments owed to them for all weeks before Sept. 6 for which they are eligible.
Claimants who are actively seeking employment are encouraged to follow the Kentucky Career Center on Facebook and Twitter, as well as the social media accounts of regional career centers to keep abreast of the latest job fairs and hiring events.
Special instructions:
- Check with your local Kentucky Career Center to see if an appointment is needed* for job seeker assistance due to COVID-19.
- Anyone attending an appointment must wear a mask at all times.
- Photo identification is required to enter a KCC building.
* Note: Our Somerset and Campbellsville locations require appointments. Find your nearest location here: Career Center Locations
For more information or to find a Kentucky Career Center near you, visit https://kcc.ky.gov/.
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FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 29, 2021) — Gov. Andy Beshear today encouraged Kentuckians drawing federal pandemic unemployment insurance benefits to rejoin the workforce before those programs expire Sept. 6.
“With a surging economy and job opportunities available throughout the commonwealth, there isn’t a valid reason why any Kentuckian who wants a job shouldn’t be able to find one,” the Governor said.
Federal pandemic unemployment insurance benefit programs expire nationwide on Sept. 6. Unemployment insurance claimants in Kentucky will no longer be able to claim benefits from the
Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), which provides an additional $300 weekly payment to recipients of unemployment compensation.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), which provides benefits for those who would not usually qualify, including the self-employed, gig workers, and part-time workers.
Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), which provides an extension of benefits once regular benefits have been exhausted.
Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation (MEUC), which provides an additional $100 benefit to certain people with mixed earnings.
Claimants participating in those programs will receive an email from the Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance (OUI) communicating that those benefit programs are ending. If claimants are waiting to receive an eligibility determination for any of these four federal programs, OUI will ensure that they receive payments owed to them for all weeks before September 6 for which they are determined eligible.
Choosing not to end pandemic unemployment benefits prematurely in the commonwealth has helped Kentuckians who lack access to child care at a time when students can’t be in school during summer months, the Governor said. He also said that those benefits continue to pump $34 million each week into grocery stores, restaurants and retail establishments in our communities across the state.
“I have spoken many times about how we were not going to steer our recovery on a red or blue state solution but instead how we could ‘thread the needle’ just right to find the right solution to help the citizens of this state and our economy,” the Governor said.
The Kentucky Public Protection Cabinet will begin accepting applications for the incentive program beginning Aug. 2. The last day to apply is Oct. 1, 2021. For more information, please visit the Team Kentucky Back to Work website.
Anyone needing job seeker assistance can contact this Kentucky Career Center office for more details on available jobs in their area. Aside from job leads, KCC staff can also provide job search assistance, apprenticeship opportunities, vocational rehabilitation, adult education, and training resources.
Kentuckians who are having difficulty paying rent and utilities can seek assistance through the Team Kentucky Eviction Relief Fund.
