PERRY/LETHCER COUNTIES, Ky. (WYMT) – A new initiative is aimed at helping Eastern Kentucky businesses find, train and keep workers without adding extra costs.
The Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program has launched EKCEP Business Solutions, a rebranded approach designed specifically to support employers across the region.
EKCEP has provided workforce development services throughout Eastern Kentucky since 1968, traditionally focusing on job seekers. Business Solutions shifts that focus to employers, offering a streamlined way to access workforce tools.
“Business Solutions is our employer-facing division,” said Cris Ritchie, Director of Advancement for EKCEP. “It’s designed specifically to help businesses find, train, and hire new workers and also connect with training and upskilling opportunities for existing workers.”
According to EKCEP leaders, many employers need help navigating workforce programs, but do not have the time or staff to work through multiple agencies. The new initiative is built around a concierge-style model, giving businesses a single point of contact.
“Business Solutions is a concierge-style model of services,” Ritchie said. “There’s one point of contact, that’s our business solutions consultants who are embedded with our community action partners throughout our 23 counties.”
Those consultants help businesses access services such as recruitment support, on-the-job training reimbursements, registered apprenticeships and incumbent worker training, all at no cost to employers.
One business already using those services is Mark Energy, a small company operating two surface mines in Line Fork and Eolia, Kentucky with nearly 30 employees.
Engineer and operations manager Willie Adams said finding and training workers has been a challenge, especially in a workforce that hasn’t seen much reinvestment.
“Pulling from a workforce that has not had a lot of reinvestment in it… when we have turnover, it’s pretty challenging to just go into the community in a job pool that’s not well established,” Adams said.
Through EKCEP Business Solutions, Mark Energy has been able to take on interns, develop apprenticeships, and reduce the financial risk that often comes with training new employees.
“There’s a little risk in hiring a new employee, and some of the reimbursements that they offer remove some of that risk,” Adams said. “We want to invest in people and the community, and they help buffer some of the risk involved in reaching out to people who don’t have the experience to do the job but may want to get trained in our field.”
EKCEP leaders say supporting businesses ultimately benefits workers and families by creating more opportunities for people to stay and work in Eastern Kentucky.
EKCEP Business Solutions is available at no cost to employers. Businesses can learn more by contacting their local Kentucky Career Center or visiting ekcep.org. An interest form for employers who want to connect with a business solutions consultant can be found by clicking here.
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