If Carter County fails to be approved for the state Work Ready in Progress program, it wont be because of a lack of community support. Twenty-five Carter Countians filled a room at Kentucky Community and Technical College Systems headquarters in Versailles recently to boast about how much progress the county has made in preparing its residents for work.

After the meeting, state Rep. Jill York, R-Grayson, said she spoke with one of the panelists, who said Carter had set the bar for future applications.

The panel unanimously approved Carter County for the Work Ready in Progress program, but final approval must be made by the Kentucky Workforce Innovations Board, which meets in Frankfort on Feb. 16. A Carter County delegation is expected to be at that meeting.

The Versailles meeting gave Carter Countians the opportunity to brag about the progress the county has made. Max Hammond, a career adviser at the Northeast Kentucky Community Action Agency, presented a 10-minute argument at the Versailles meeting about why Carter County is a good fit for the program.

Hammond emphasized the countys long history with working people, including those at brickyards and textile manufacturing facilities.

He pointed out Carter schools are among the best in the state after recently being named a District of Distinction with improving test scores.

He also talked about plans to educate those who are plagued by drugs and those who are otherwise economically disadvantaged, explaining the countys adult education centers can test for General Educational Development certification on site.

The chances seem excellent that Carter County will be approved for the Work Ready in Progress program. While that alone will not convince employers to locate in Carter County, it would be a giant step toward erasing the popular perception that the people of this region, particularly in rural counties like Carter, lack the education and skills companies need for their employers. The perception is a hurdle this region must clear to spur the kind of economic development it needs.

See the rest here:

IN OUR VIEW: Work Ready in Progress for Carter - The Independent