A retraining success story

9 Oct 2017

Ask anyone changing careers—the task of retooling, upgrading, and repurposing job skills is one of the more difficult challenges a person can take on. It helps, however, if the skills required on the new job are matched to an underlying capability mastered on the old one.

Such is the case for a group of former coal miners now employed in advanced manufacturing. Coal miners operate equipment that hones their math and engineering skills—precisely the skillset required for operating on today’s high-tech assembly line.

The men were graduates of eKentucky Advanced Manufacturing Institute, a specialized training program designed to increase the existing skills of former coal workers for advanced manufacturing jobs. Trainees learn Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining—running the highly technical computers that operate lathes, routers, grinders, and other machines that build high-precision parts for the US manufacturing industry.

Today, they’re employed in new jobs, and the training program is expanding with a new crop of graduates.

Want to learn more? Click here.

More Topics

Manufacturing comes to coal country

Oct 2 2017

Kentucky’s coal country has been hard hit by the changing energy industry. Since the early 2000s, Eastern Kentucky has seen its coal employment plummet from about 13,700 jobs to about 3,700—a decline of nearly 73 percent. Statewide, jobs in the coal industry dropped to...

From Mining to Manufacturing

Sep 27 2017

A new training program in Eastern Kentucky puts unemployed miners to work running the world’s most advanced computer-assisted industrial machining equipment. “Hillbillies. Mountain people.” These are stereotypes all-too familiar to Doug Potter, who call Eastern Kentucky home. “People say we talk funny, and we’re not real smart.”...

What Could 10,000 Skilled Workers Do for Your Business?

Sep 25 2017

We are entering a time of increased economic prosperity, one that is full of opportunities for business growth. With the global marketplace demanding aerospace products, it is time for growing companies to ask, “What could 10,000 skilled workers do for our business?” You Can Find them in Eastern Kentucky...

Available. Skilled. Workforce

The One East Kentucky region is blessed with an available skilled workforce. These workers are highly mechanically inclined and proven to transition into new industries with ease. Their base skillsets are relevant to all forms of manufacturing. In addition, workforce training incentives and facilities are readily available to customize their skills to your needs. Learn More

95%

Non-Union

$17.45

Average Hourly Earnings

25.3

Average Commute Time

7,500

Available Workers