FRANKFORT, Ky. — Through a collaborative effort with Pikeville Medical Center (PMC), Big Sandy Community & Technical College, and the Eastern Kentucky Employment Program (EKCEP), Kentucky Skills U, an agency within the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet (EWDC), is offering free GED courses to PMC employees who do not have a GED or high school diploma.
EWDC Secretary Derrick Ramsey joined community and business leaders in Pikeville, Ky., to raise awareness about the PMC Employee Outreach Program. This transformational workforce development program allows job seekers in the Pikeville community who do not have a GED or high school diploma to become eligible for employment while taking GED courses through Kentucky Skills U.
“We are excited to announce this new partnership with Pikeville Medical Center,” said Education and Workforce Development Cabinet Secretary Derrick Ramsey. “This is a wonderful opportunity for individuals to have access to career development and education opportunities that will allow them to further their careers in the growing healthcare industry.”
In effort to fill more than 167 healthcare jobs within the organization, Pikeville Medical Center amended its policy, which required a high school diploma or equivalent in order to qualify for employment. Through the Employee Outreach Program, prospective job seekers who not do have a high school diploma or equivalent are now eligible for full-time employment contingent on enrollment and completion of GED courses through the local Kentucky Skills U center.
Pikeville Medical Center serves as one of the top healthcare providers in Eastern Kentucky. According to Donavon Blackburn, Pikeville Medical Center CEO and Board of Directors vice president, one of the goals of the program is to provide career ladders, education, and support for the region. This initiative offers the people in the Pikeville community a way to enhance their lives through employment while receiving job training.
“As the largest employer in the region, PMC has a tremendous responsibility to the area,” Blackburn added. “There are greater demands being placed on healthcare than ever before, and we want to be part of creating a pipeline of trained people. It’s not about getting a handout, but a hand up to a better career path.”
With more than 125,000 open healthcare jobs available throughout the Commonwealth, one of the main goals of the Employee Outreach Program at Pikeville Medical Center is to connect qualified job seekers with employment in healthcare, one of fastest growing workforce industries in Kentucky. This initiative will help fill open healthcare jobs in the Eastern Kentucky region, and boost the quality of healthcare services offered throughout the state.
To learn more about the Employee Outreach Program, visit pikevillehospital.org.
Add Comment