Contact: Kitty Armstrong McAllister
KittyA.McAllister@ky.gov
(502) 564-6606
Tim Thornberry
TimS.Thornberry@ky.gov
(502) 564-4286

Over forty-five leaders of government and industry gathered in Princeton as Commissioner Laura E. Owens, Department for Workforce Investment, Kentucky Education Cabinet, presented a check in the amount of $119,720 to West Kentucky Workforce Investment Board representatives for the Western Kentucky Industrial Training Consortium’s new industrial maintenance training program on Thursday, October 21, 2004, at the Caldwell County Industrial Training Center.

The Workforce Investment Act Statewide Employment & Training funds presented are earmarked for a new training program-- the first program of its kind to be offered by the Caldwell County Area Technology Center. The new program’s curriculum will include: Industrial Electrical Systems, Industrial Maintenance, Electrical Principles Lab, Industrial Maintenance Technology Motor Controls, Industrial Maintenance Electrical Motor Controls Lab, Basic Blue Print Reading, Machine Tool, Fluid Power, and Welding Maintenance.

“It has been the Consortium’s vision that has brought us here today. Private and public partners collaborated to formulate a plan. It is no surprise that Kentucky is ranked #5 in the nation by Expansion Management magazine as having one of the top industrial training programs for attracting and expanding existing industries.  Your Consortium is one of the reasons why Kentucky is seen as a top destination for businesses and industries. Through your state and local partners funding, donating facilities and equipment, and countless hours of expertise, this project is valued at over $870,000,” Commissioner Owens said.

 “I’m enthusiastic about this training center because the key to creating jobs and bringing jobs to this area is a well-trained workforce. The ability to bring jobs here will increase through the opportunities created by this center in which the mission is to provide that well-trained workforce,” U.S. Congressman Ed Whitfield commented on the project.

The Education Cabinet coordinates learning programs from P-16, and manages and supports training and employment functions in the Department for Workforce Investment. For more information about our programs, visit www.educationcabinet.ky.gov or www.workforce.ky.gov or call (502) 564-6606.

Western Kentucky Industrial Training Consortium, Inc.’s mission is to identify industry-training needs and develop cooperative training programs, prepare entry-level employees for specific job requirements and provide skills upgrading for current employees. For more information about the training program, contact Consortium President Scott Laffoon, AFCO Manufacturing, (270) 365-0160.

For additional information about the West Kentucky Workforce Investment Board, contact Director Sheila Clark, (270) 886-9484.