Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC) introduced its Gearing Up for Manufacturing initiative during an announcement at the Elizabethtown campus.
The initiative, in part funded by Kentucky’s Workforce Trust Fund, will focus on the shortage of qualified job seekers in the region’s growing advanced manufacturing sector.
Advanced manufacturing is one of the largest and highest paying career fields in the 10-county area served by ECTC and the demand for skilled workers is growing fast as existing employers expand and the community prepares for new jobs like those at BlueOval SK, said ECTC President and CEO Dr. Juston Pate.
“With Gearing Up for Manufacturing, we’ll be able to reach future employees in new ways and create pipelines that help meet the workforce needs of employers while fostering continued growth in our region,” Pate said.
Area employers were on hand at the announcement and noted the initiative’s potential impact on young students’ understanding of modern manufacturing.
“We’re excited to partner with ECTC on this project and to help our future workforce see the innovative career pathways available to them in their hometowns,” said Altec Inc. Training Manager Chad Sarver.
The initiative will focus on raising awareness of careers in manufacturing, providing memorable hands-on experiences that teach about advanced manufacturing and removing barriers to education and training.
ECTC is launching the initiative thanks to a $178,000 grant from the Kentucky Workforce Trust Fund.
Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) President Aaron Thompson said successfully preparing the future workforce demands creative approaches like Gearing Up for Manufacturing, and CPE was proud to advocate for the Workforce Trust Fund funding allocated by state legislators.
“I commend President Pate and his team for being responsive to the workforce needs of their region and for engaging students in high-demand fields,” Thompson said. “Generating interest in expanding industries like advanced manufacturing and providing clear career pathways will help ensure work-ready graduates with the right skills to succeed in the workplace.”
ECTC is currently seeking applicants for the Manufacturing Program Coordinator who will play a key role in the initiative. Details are available at careers.kctcs.edu.
(Photo: Dr. Juston Pate, ECTC President speaking at the Gearing up for Manufacturing event)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
