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Our Job Club was a Success!
New Partnership
Linda from Clover Fork Clinic reached out to Brandy Griffey, the Business Solutions Consultant at Harlan Community Action Agency, with a request to hire two medical assistants and a medical records specialist. Recognizing the clinic’s need, Brandy immediately began collaborating with career advisors Beth Edwards and Flora Wattenberger to meet this demand.
Through a well-coordinated effort involving job order taking, pre-screening, and targeted advertisement, the team at Harlan Community Action Agency was able to facilitate a successful hiring process. This led to the placement of two individuals, Kelsey and Hailey, into On-the-Job Training (OJT) opportunities for the medical assistant positions at Clover Fork Clinic. Additionally, Abbigail completed a valuable internship, which ultimately resulted in her gaining permanent employment through the OJT program for the medical records position.
The partnership between Harlan Community Action Agency and Clover Fork Clinic exemplifies the success of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program. By providing both the business and clients with tailored workforce solutions, the OJT and internship programs foster mutual growth. The clinic not only found qualified candidates to fill essential roles but also contributed to the professional development of local talent, enhancing the clinic’s ability to provide quality healthcare to the community.
This collaborative effort underscores the power of WIOA in connecting businesses with skilled individuals, creating a brighter future for both the workforce and the businesses they serve.
Please see the pictures below.
WIOA Services for Adults
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs help people find jobs and upgrade their skills to qualify for better jobs. WIOA serves adults looking for work, workers of any age who have been dislocated from their jobs through closings or layoffs, and economically disadvantaged young people who need help to get education, training, and a good start into the working world.
These multi-level programs use a wide assortment of resources to help customers identify their interests and aptitudes, understand which jobs are in demand, get the training and develop the skills they need to succeed, and advance their careers. This program offers the following services for area employers:
- Work Experience/Internships offer employers a cost-effective way to identify and evaluate potential talent.
- Recruitment and Screening We can help recruit and screen potential employee’s during hiring.
- Assisting with the training costs for new hires and for upgrading the skills of existing employees.
- Providing labor market information to assist with business planning.
- Facilitating contacts with the various state and federal programs, which can assist employers.
- Customized Training meets the special requirements of an employer, conducted with a commitment to employ all individuals upon successful completion.
In general, WIOA Adult Program services are available to eastern Kentuckians ages 18 and above who are unemployed or under-employed. If training is required to obtain or improve employment, the program can provide tuition, required books, fees, commuting assistance, meals, and other approved expenses for classroom training. Career counseling and resume writing are available by making an appointment with one of our Career Advisors. Job Club services are also available. Job Club meets every Wednesday at the Harlan County Extension Office Depot at 1:00p.m.
Registered Apprenticeships
On-the -job TrainingĀ OJT – Provides reimbursements to compensateĀ for training newly hired employees.
Customized Training meets the special requirements of an employer, conducted with a commitment to employ all individuals upon successful completion.
Recruitment and Screening We can help recruit and screen potential employees’ during hiring.
Work Experience/Internships offer employers a cost-effective way to identify and evaluate potential talent.
WIOA Services for Dislocated Workers
In general, Dislocated Worker services are available to any eastern Kentucky resident who:
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In coordination with other types of financial assistance, the WIA Dislocated Worker Program may be able to provide:
- Tuition
- Required Books
- Fees
- Commuting Assistance
- Meals
- Other approved expenses for classroom training
Career counseling and resume writing is available by making an appointment with one of our Career Advisors. Job Club services are also available. Job Club meets every Wednesday at the Harlan County Extension Office Depot at 1:00 p.m.
Prosper Appalachia Youth Program
Is a program located in both Harlan High School and Harlan County High School is administered by Rhett Alred who assists seniors to establish a plan for life. By providing career assessments, career planning, career exploration with virtual reality headsets, college track and prep to help bridge the gap to the next step, whether it is college to a job in the next phase of life.
See pictured below some samples of students using the virtual reality headset.
WIOA Services for Youth
WIOA Youth Program offers a broad range of services to young people between the ages of 16 and 24. These services include opportunities for assistance with academic or job-related learning, developing leadership skills, preparing for further education, and eventual employment. Career counseling and resume writing is available by making an appointment with one of our Career Advisors. Job Club services are also available. Job Club meets every Wednesday at the Harlan County Extension Office Depot at 1:00 p.m.
Youth services are available to low-income young people who are in any one of these categories:
- Requires help to complete an educational program
- Requires help to secure and hold employment
- School dropout
- Homeless
- A runaway
- A foster child
- Pregnant or parenting
- An offender (legal)
- Deficient in basic literacy skills
Services may also be available to young people who do not meet the low-income requirement, if they qualify in one of the categories above and have other barriers.
EKCEP’s Youth Program may provide the following services:
- Tutoring, study skills training and instruction leading to secondary school completion, including dropout prevention strategies
- Alternative secondary school offerings
- Summer employment opportunities directly linked to academic and occupational learning
- Paid and unpaid work experiences, including internships, on the job training and job shadowing
- Occupational skills training
- Leadership development opportunities
- Supportive services
- Adult mentoring for twelve months
- Follow-up services
- Comprehensive guidance and counseling
Success Stories
Thanks to the support of WIOA Supportive Services at Harlan Community Action Agency and the guidance of career advisor Beth Edwards, one determined job seeker,Jaydon Middleton has climbed his way into a high demand career as a lineman.
Jaydon was offered a full-time position but faced a major barrier. He didnāt have the necessary tools, gears, and safety accessories required to start work. Thatās when the Career Advisor Beth stepped in.
Through WIOA supportive services, Beth helped secure funding to purchase his lineman tools, harness, boots, and protective equipment ensuring he was job ready.
What started as a financial hurdle turned into a career breakthrough all thanks to WIOA support, and career advisor who went the extra mile.