The Kentucky Career Center can help you reach your career goals

Carter Dyson

In recent months COVID-19 has changed the way nearly everyone lives their daily lives. Unfortunately for many, those changes may have included job loss, furloughs or unreliable hours with changing protocols. The Kentucky Career Center-Lincoln Trail (KCC-LT) is here to help you put your best foot forward wherever you are in the job search process. Although our building is not currently open to the public for in-person service, we have derived several ways for individuals in our region to get the help they need virtually. Whether you are interested in starting a new career path or earning certifications in a current field, our team would be honored to assist you in advancing your career during these unprecedented times.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, many industries, such as retail and restaurants, have seen job loss. However, other sectors such as healthcare and manufacturing are seeing a peak in demand. The KCC-LT is here to help you identify these growing career paths and locate prime openings in the job market.

The first step to finding a new career is preparedness, and we have some of the valuable resources you need to feel confident and qualified as you step out into the workforce. Here are some of the services offered by our staff:

Career Coaching

The KCC-LT career coaches will dive into your interests, skills and experiences to create a profile detailing all your important resume details and where you would like to go next. Your career coach will then work with you from job training to career placement, providing you the tools you need to reach your goals.

Job Searches

The KCC-LT works closely with employers across the region and holds up-to-date information on career trends, who is hiring in your area and what skills will make you most desirable to employers. Our top priority is aligning your expertise with your career interests to find your ideal job.

Resume Writing

Starting the resume process can feel like a daunting task. Whether you are looking to polish up your resume or need to start from scratch, our team can offer you personalized assistance to make a great first impression on potential employers.

Mock Interviews

Through a video chat or phone call, our dedicated KCC-LT team will help you make the best impression when you land an interview in your desired field. The KCC-LT staff can walk you through common interview questions and help you formulate unique answers to leave a lasting impression.

The KCC-LT is proud to offer a wide variety of services that individuals need to make their mark in the job market. However, we realize that COVID-19 has created additional barriers throughout this past year. As a response, the career center has opened up multiple career opportunities through the National Dislocated Worker Grant to help you get back on your feet in a high-demand field. You are eligible for one of our grants if you find yourself in one of the following categories: temporarily or permanently laid off because of COVID-19, dislocated worker, long-term unemployed worker, self-employed, but became unemployed or significantly underemployed as a result of COVID-19.

We know that everyone is experiencing different needs during the uncertainty of 2020. The National Dislocated Worker Grant allows us to work with a wide variety of skill sets and life situations. Those who receive the grant will have the opportunity to use it for one of three types of programs, including on-the-job training, short-term training or serving your community.

On-The-Job Training

Train on-the-job in popular career fields that will lead to long-term employment. By following this path, grant recipients will receive hands-on training for in-demand jobs such as maintenance technician, machine operator or construction work. We will work with your interests and skill sets to help you train your way into a lifelong career.

Short-Term Training

At no personal cost, grant-recipients can pursue a new career path and train at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC) to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or a CDL driver. After completing your training, the career center will connect you with an employer and fast track you to your new career.

Serving Your Community

Serve those in need with temporary employment at one of our region’s non-profit organizations. These positions will earn grant-recipients $12 an hour plus fringe for up to 1,000 hours. Work opportunities await in a wide variety of settings, including customer service, logistics and transportation, office procedures, food safety, volunteer recruitment and scheduling.

To learn more about our National Dislocated Worker Grant, visit our website and apply at LTcareercenter.org/ndwg.

For more information on the resources the KCC-LT offers or to make a virtual appointment with one of our career coaches, please visit  LTcareercenter.org/job. We look forward to helping you find your next career!

Carter Dyson is One Stop Director for Kentucky Career Center – Lincoln Trail. He can be reached at (270) 234-5804 or carter.dyson@ky.gov. The Kentucky Career Center – Lincoln Trail, overseen by the Lincoln Trail Workforce Development Board, is a one-stop resource for both job seekers and employers.