‘We don’t just get people jobs. We get them careers.’
The welcoming doors of Kentucky Career Center is open to all who want access to their programs and trainings. The KCC office in Taylor County is located at 1311 East Broadway, in the Elmhurst Plaza.
Job hunting can be difficult, from navigating applications to gaining new skills, but luckily, the Kentucky Career Center (KCC) can assist with all aspects of employment.
The KCC reopened its doors once again last month after closing in April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Career Manager Jenny Hughes said their main goal for their office is to get back to the public and let the community have access to all the programs and services they offer.
Job services are their priority in all areas. Members of the community can access the office to use their computers to fill out online or paper applications. Hughes said they are focused on filling job openings and steering the workforce in the right direction.
“And these are full-time positions. We are not a temporary agency,” Hughes said. “We don’t just get people jobs. We get them careers.”
Outside of job hunting and applications, KCC offers programs, trainings and grants to aid the transition into a new career. Hughes said all of their services are free and the resources offer an ability to gain to a self-sufficient wage.
A few of the programs and grants that KCC offers are:
- The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is a federal grant to assist with training for high-demand careers such as transportation and nursing. The trainings can be as short as six weeks or up to two years depending on the position.
- The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) provides opportunities to individuals with disabilities to assist with reentry or entry into employment. It gives training and tools to become more independent in the workplace.
- SHIP or State Health Insurance Assistance Program helps Medicare beneficiaries across the 10-county area. The assistance extends to Medicare enrollment open from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7.
- Kentucky Farmworker Program (KFP) is an employment and training program. The program serves farmers, farmhands, and their families who are seeking to improve their work skills or want “greater financial stability that comes with training and education,” according to Katie Fergerson of KY Farmers Programs, Inc.
- Skills U is designed to aid with GED, college, and career preparation. The program also helps with testing for education and businesses as well as English as a Second Language (ESL).
Hughes urges community members to look into the resources KCC offers now that it is back open to the community. Before closing in 2020, the center would get 300 to 700 guests in their offices each month. However, last month’s number of patrons totaled 78.
“People are getting ready to get back to work,” Hughes said. “We are trying to bounce back and to go all out with our resources.”
Despite all the employment programs, the Campbellsville KCC does not have unemployment insurance staff. Members of the community may use a KCC computer to file but do not have staff to assist in the process.
KCC can be involved in all parts of the career search. Hughes said the center’s goal is to find all the needs of the workforce and aid applicants through their career process.
“They need something to help them get going and to further their careers. And we are here to help,” Hughes said. “It’s all about finding them a career they love.”
For more information, visit www.kcc.ky.gov or in person at 1311 East Broadway, Campbellsville in Elmhurst Plaza