Kentucky has so many great things to offer its citizens, but in recent years, the employment rate isn’t one of them. Prior to the pandemic, our state’s unemployment rate was higher than the national average, sitting at 4.2 percent compared to the nation’s 3.6. Today, our state’s unemployment rate has jumped to 13 percent. In the Lincoln Trail region, the workforce participation rate, which measures the number of adults currently working or actively seeking employment, is 60.5% which trails the national average of 64.2%. Hardin Memorial Health (HMH) is dedicated to helping lower that number.

Of the many factors that prevent unemployed individuals from entering the workforce, a prior felony conviction is one of the most common. Too often, capable people are unable to secure employment due to past criminal convictions. To address this issue, HMH has partnered with the Removing Obstacles subcommittee, a part of the Lincoln Trail Workforce Development Board’s Workforce Crisis Task Force. Together, we are piloting a new Expungement Benefit Program to help both prior-convicted individuals and businesses.

Through the expungement program, employers can assist employees with the expungement process and associated costs to remove qualifying Class D felony convictions from their records. This program will empower our community by helping employers retain skilled, long-term employees while giving those willing and able to work a second chance.

The Work Institute’s 2019 Retention Report found that 88 percent more employees quit their jobs last year than they did in 2010. It’s become much more common for employees to jump from one career to the next, making it difficult for many employers to retain motivated workers. Within our region, countless employers are struggling to find people willing to work and stay committed to the job longer than a year. When we combine this information with data showing hired convicts are not fired at any greater rate than other individuals and have a 13 percent higher retention rate, we begin to see a positive path forward.

Through HMH’s expungement program, employees that stay committed to the job for a year while adhering to general standards, such as showing up to work on time and meeting deadlines, receive $1,000 upon their year anniversary. At its core, the program is similar to other benefits that companies offer to improve retention rates.

Last month, HMH had our first staff member complete the Expungement Benefit Program. Timi-Michelle Tolhurst is a married mother of two who graduated with a sociology degree from Western Kentucky University (WKU) in 2016 and lives on a farm with her husband of seven years. Timi made poor choices 10 years ago after choosing to date the wrong man, resulting in a Class D felony charge for possession. Timi received her associate’s degree from Elizabethtown Community and Technical College before going to WKU, all while caring for her family and working multiple low-wage jobs due to her record.

While her record could have legally been expunged after five years, every dollar had to go to rent and food for her family, making the expungement expenses impossible to fulfill. Timi began working for HMH three years ago, and as we worked with the Removing Obstacles subcommittee, she was an obvious choice for our pilot program. Last month, Timi finished the expungement program and had a background check come back clean for the first time in 10 years.

“For people like me who want to put that chapter of their lives behind them, support their families and give back to society, this program is essential,” said Timi. “It has allowed me not just a job, but a career in what I’m trained to do.”

Timi says she hopes her story can help other individuals in similar situations while helping employers realize one felony doesn’t always mean you are a bad person. Like Timi, many have made a poor choice, overcome challenges and are now capable of providing a lot of value to the workforce.

The program may look different for each employer, but the Expungement Benefits Program model has proven to be beneficial for both Timi and HMH. We have retained a very competent employee who is immersed in our culture and mission. We are proud that Timi is finally able to have her record reflect the person she is today. I am also extremely proud that HMH is an early adopter of this program. It is our hope that our positive experience will open up many doors for future HMH employees, and for others across the region by giving a second chance to individuals who are eager to be in the workforce.

For further information on the Lincoln Trail Workforce Development Board’s Expungement Benefit Program, including an Expungement Program How-To Guide for businesses, please visit ltcareercenter.org/expungement.

Author: Myra Covault is Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Hardin Memorial Health and a member of the Lincoln Trail Workforce Development Board. She can be reached at mcovault@hmh.net.

The Lincoln Trail region is full of gifted students ready to make an impact in the world the moment they graduate. Unfortunately, many of these students move outside of our region to pursue careers. Others stay in their hometowns but accumulate debt to gain a degree while feeling they lack satisfactory career opportunities. Ironically, at the same time, companies in our region struggle to find skilled, available workers, a challenge that is growing daily.

To bring greater awareness to the career opportunities available in our region, the Lincoln Trail Workforce Development Board’s Workforce Crisis Task Force is connecting educators with employers through Work-Based Learning Opportunities (WBLOs). WBLOs expose students to meaningful, hands-on work experiences while providing employers an opportunity to train and recruit young talent.

The benefits of WBLOs are extensive for students, employers and the community at large. WBLOs retain the skilled workforce our education system helped build by giving students an opportunity to explore an array of career paths and get their foot in the door with local businesses. Employers, on the other hand, are able to apprentice young workers, expand their workforce when understaffed or during a busy season and fill positions while cutting down on training and recruitment costs. All of this contributes to a vibrant and stable local economy, connecting multiple members of our community.

At Mid-Park, we have partnered with Grayson County High School’s Technology Center to create a track pre-apprenticeship program. We started this program because our community was falling short on career pathway opportunities that teach students high-demand skills. Students in our track program gain hands-on, real-world experience they can use beyond high school. They train with our machining department doing various jobs from working with CAD software to setting up machines. Through this WBLO, we now have access to future employees we have mentored and trained from the start in our work environment and on our machines. This makes these students so valuable to us.

There are several different types of WBLOs like Mid-Park’s track pre-apprenticeship program to help companies and students get the most out of their experiences. Some students take advantage of shadowing or mentoring, while other students and companies benefit more from an internship or apprenticeship. Overall there are eight different WBLOs offered, including service learning, mentoring, shadowing, entrepreneurship, school-based enterprise, internship, cooperative education, and registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship.

Whether you are a company seeking talent or a student considering employment opportunities, the answer is in our own backyard. Students interested in a WBLO should contact their guidance counselor for assistance. Out-of-school youth can contact the Kentucky Career Center – Lincoln Trail to talk to a career coach for assistance in finding WBLOs in our region. The career center offers Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) services to youth ages 16 to 24 who are not currently enrolled in school.

Employers can check out LTcareercenter.org/WBLO and download our “How-to Guide” that outlines WBLOs and how to assess whether or not your company is ready to participate. Starting a WBLO is easier than you think. We have also put together a contact list for the schools within our region that are well equipped with the tools to help your business get started.

Lincoln Trail community members, we need your help to continue to build this incredible region together. Help us spread the word about WBLOs so we can make sure our children have the opportunity they deserve to work fulfilling jobs in their home communities while our employers have access to the talent they need. Our entire region thrives when these needs are met, guaranteeing that our best days are ahead of us!

Author: Trish Niles works for Mid-Park Inc., a partner of the Lincoln Trail Workforce Development Board. She believes in providing Work-Based Learning Opportunities because of how they benefit the student and the employer. Trish can be reached at tniles@mid-park.com.

Continuing Personal Growth and Education

In a matter of weeks, COVID-19 has turned from a distant news topic to a national emergency, affecting the daily lives of millions of Americans. As our government is urging us to stay home and practice social distancing, many of us are quickly developing cabin fever. While it’s tempting to spend the entire day binge-watching Netflix or scrolling through Facebook, this is a good time for personal and professional development. And, you’ll be keeping your community safe by staying indoors. Here are a few ideas:

Take an Online Course
One of the most traditional ways to stay mentally engaged is to register for an online class. Many colleges and universities have options available each semester, but there is also an abundance of free online courses available year-round. Websites such as coursera.org and edx.org compile a list of free online classes from top universities around the world. In addition, many of the most prestigious colleges are offering free online courses due to the pandemic, including all eight Ivy League schools. Go to ClassCentral.com to view a full list of over 450 classes from Brown, Harvard, Cornell, Princeton, Dartmouth, Yale and Columbia universities, and the University of Pennsylvania. Whether you are looking for classes to build your resume or to learn for fun, you can find it!

Study a New Language
With the spread of COVID-19, it has become more evident than ever that we live on an increasingly connected planet. Why not take this time at home to learn a new language? It could help you to become more desirable to future employers and give you a new outlet of involvement in our changing world. Fun and interactive websites such as duolingo.com and babbel.com teach different languages to the average person of all ages through reading, writing and audio activities. Users can choose from common languages such as Spanish and French, or less common languages like Turkish, or even fictional languages like Klingon (although that one may not boost your resume). Take advantage of the time to expand your realm of communication!

Tour the World Virtually
You may not be able to get out of the house physically, but Google is making it possible for you to tour the world and explore some of the most premier museums, art galleries and national parks virtually. Museums and national parks are more than a place to learn – they are places of contemplation and calmness – two elements we can all use a little more of right now. Visit ArtsandCulture.Google.com and Earth.Google.com to explore thousands of places around the world, including everything from Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum to the Taj Mahal to the Grand Canyon. Why not use this time to expand your cultural horizons from the comfort of your couch?

Take Advantage of Your Local Library
Finally, when looking for ways to continue learning in isolation, don’t forget your local library. Even if the building is closed, your library card can still give you and your family access to a wide range of resources. At the LaRue County Public Library, you can find EBSCO, a database filled with college prep exams, professional development training, and a school center filled with K-12 educational lessons on core subjects.

Additionally, on the Hardin County Public Library website, you will find access to Heritage Quest, an extensive genealogy website, as well as Chilton’s online repair database if you are looking to gain some more practical skills. Local libraries also provide free eBook services with your library card, giving you access to thousands of titles.
Nearly all Kentucky libraries offer a wide variety of journals and search engines through The Kentucky Virtual Library. Here, you can find databases on everything from current business journals, to past and present agricultural information, and even consumer drug information on current medications.

COVID-19 has shaken our nation and world. While it can feel like life is out of our control, we can choose how we spend this unexpected time at home. With today’s technology, the world can truly be at our fingertips, even in isolation. Let’s commit to using our time to grow personally and professionally, closer together as a family, and stronger as a community. We are all in this together, even if that means keeping a safe distance.

Author: Jim Rachlin is a chair of the Workforce Education and Economic Development Committee of the Lincoln Trail Workforce Development Board, which serves Breckinridge, Grayson, Hardin, LaRue, Marion, Meade, Nelson and Washington counties. He can be reached at jim@ltcareercenter.com.

Education may be the key to a brighter future, but for many Kentuckians, access to quality education is difficult. A recent study performed by WalletHub found Kentucky to be among the least educated states, ranking near the bottom at 47 in regards to the percentage of adults with a high school diploma.

Gov. Andy Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman have made education one of their top priorities. In early January, the duo announced that Kentucky Skills U, an agency within the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet (EWDC), will waive testing fees for Kentuckians seeking to earn a GED.

“This state funding will remove one more barrier for Kentuckians and provide them one more opportunity to earn their GED – a critical piece to helping the more than 335,000 Kentuckians without a GED or high school diploma to participate in our workforce and thrive,” said Gov. Beshear in a statement from the governor’s office.

The GED testing fee is currently $120, and one of the biggest obstacles to adults lacking education in the Commonwealth. EWDC has allotted $600,000 in state funding to waive the fees and help eliminate financial barriers.

“Every Kentuckian has the right to quality education,” said Lt. Gov. Coleman. “As a teacher, I know there is no greater way to positively change a person’s economic situation than lifting their level of education.”

According to Lt. Gov. Coleman, adults lacking high school or GED diplomas are two times as likely to be unemployed and three times as likely to live in poverty. Over 150,000 Kentuckians lacking a GED or high school diploma are currently unemployed. By waiving GED testing fees, those unemployed or underemployed have more opportunities to create a brighter career trajectory.

When more individuals participate in the workforce, the entire community benefits. Skilled workers and professionals are better equipped to compete for good jobs and feel more competent in the workplace, which helps employers succeed as well. Companies are more likely to locate or expand in areas with a strong workforce. All are key to a strong economy.

Kentucky Skills U is committed to providing academic and essential skills instruction to help ensure Kentucky adults get the education they need. For all Kentuckians to prosper, we believe every citizen must be prepared to function well in the workforce, the community and the home.

The bottom line is simple: if Kentuckians have a good education they can pursue careers and support their families. By setting a good example, their children are also more likely to succeed in school and beyond.

At Kentucky Skills U, we are happy to provide free adult education services in all 120 counties to help Kentuckians obtain a GED. Through Kentucky Skills U, Kentuckians can gain reading, math and communications skills that place them on a path to higher education and training, and earn certifications to move ahead in their careers.

Education is the key to a brighter future – and that’s why it should be available. Whether you are interested in preparing for the GED Ready test or the Official GED, college or the workforce, Kentucky Skills U is here to help. Our local Kentucky Skills U instructors are ready in every county to help you break through barriers to reach your education and career goals through managed classroom instruction, small group labs and distance learning opportunities. We focus on where you are now and give you the tools you need to qualify for more jobs, better jobs, college and higher pay.

Before taking the GED in Kentucky, you are required to take the GED Ready test, which is available at no cost through Kentucky Skills U. Additionally your local Skills U program will provide free learning opportunities, at the center or from home, to get you ready to pass the GED. You may also take the GED Ready test online at ged.com for a fee. Individuals can text “MYGED” to 74700 to connect with a Kentucky Skills U center near you or go to kyskillsu.ky.gov to learn more about no-cost adult education services.

Author: Diane Kelley is the Director of Skills U for Breckinridge, Hardin, Hart, LaRue and Marion Counties. She is a large advocate for Kentuckians being prepared to function well in the workforce. Diane can be reached at diane.kelley@hardin.kyschools.us.