The leader of a non-profit economic development agency in Eastern Kentucky sees promise in the results of a just-released workforce survey. It’s partly focused on efforts to lure new firms to the region that could offer employment to out-of-work coal miners.
The survey sponsored by One East Kentucky included questions to some 500 unemployed coal miners. CEO Chuck Sexton says, in addition to overall costs and accessibility, the quality of the available workforce is important to manufacturing executives. He says many unemployed Kentuckians are skilled in welding and equipment operation. “They may have rolled off of unemployment, but they want to work. They have a desire to work and provide for their family,” noted Sexton.
Sexton says fast-track job certification can be accomplished through the community and technical college system. A Western Kentucky native, Sexton says he’s made visits to 30 different firms, pitching east Kentucky, over the summer months.?
