" News Outlook Your Hometown Newspaper November 28, 2013 - 21
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Madison County is the
first community in Ken-
tucky to graduate from
Kentucky Work Ready
Communities in Progress
certification to the Ken.
i tucky Work Ready Com-
munities level, according
to the Kentucky Workforce
Investment Board (KWIB).
Twenty-two other coun-
ties are working toward
the Kentucky Work Ready
Communities certification
as a way to strengthen and
market their local work-
force.
The Kentucky Work
Ready Communities cer-
tification program from
the Kentucky Workforce
Investment Board (KWIB)
and the Kentucky Educa-
tion and Workforce Devel-
opment Cabinet assures
employers that a local
workforce has the tal-
ent and skills necessary
to staff existing jobs and
to master the innovative
technologies new jobs will
require.
"Pursuing the Kentucky
Work Ready Communities
certification is a difficult
process but it is well worth
the investment of local
leaders' time, energy and
talent," said Ed Holmes,
chair of KWIB.
To achieve the Kentucky
Work Ready Communi-
ties designation, a county
must gather local support
and commitment and apply
for the certification. Coun-
ties have to meet criteria
in six areas including high
school graduation rate,
National Career Readi-
ness Certificate (NCRC)
holders, demonstrated
community commitment,
educational attainment,
soft-skills development and
digital literacy.
Richmond Chamber of
Commerce Executive Di-
rector Mendi Goble said
working toward the Ken-
tucky Work Ready Com-
munities certification was
an eye-opening experience
because community lead-
ers from business, govern-
ment and education were
all working together for
the first time,
'You can't put a price
on getting a university,
school system, city, county,
business and industry to-
gether," said Goble. "For
the first time, we were
all in the same room talk-
ing about the same issue
which was onr local work-
force and how to promote
and measure work ethic,
critical thinking and other
workplace skills."
Currently, 23 counties
have been designated as
Kentucky Work Ready
Communities in Progress
because they are close
to meeting the Kentucky
Work Ready Community
criteria. To achieve this
level, a county must pres-
ent a viable plan to meet
all of the criteria within
three years. The designa-
tion shows that a commu-
nity is making strides and
working with its business,
education, workforce and
economic development
leaders to set and meet
common goals that will
give the county an eco-
nomic edge.
Goble said Madison
County met all but two of
the goals, NCRC attain-
ment and soft skills devel-
opment, when they applied
for Kentucky Work Ready
Communities. As a result,
they have implemented
several programs to reach
goals in those areas. For
example, one elementary
school was awarded a
Leader in Me grant to im-
prove soft skills and help
students develop a work
ethic early in their educa-
tional careers. The pro-
gram, based on the book
"The 7 Habits of Highly Ef-
fective People@," teaches
students about characteris-
tics such as leadership, re-
sponsibility and teamwork.
Crystal Gibson, chair
of the Kentucky Work
Ready Communities Re-
view Panel and vice presi-
dent of Public Affairs at
Cifigroup, said the hard
work pays off for commu-
nities because the certifi-
cation gives them tangible
evidence that workers are
skilled and that the county
is committed to continuous
improvement.
"As community lead-
ers work through the pro-
gram, they discover new
programs they didn't know
existed, they reduce du-
plicarion of services and
they build relationships be-
tween people and organiza-
tions," Gibson said.
Goble said going
through the Kentucky
Work Ready Communities
in Progress process and
talking with local leaders
has helped her be a better,
more educated advocate
for business in Richmond.
"What we have built and
what we have learned is
what is so important. As a
community, we are on the
same page as never before.
Crossing lines has opened
so many doors," Goble
said.
Applications for the
certification were reviewed
by a panel appointed by the
KWIB. The panel recom-
mended certification by
the board for the counties
that met the criteria. The
panel meets four times a
year to review applications,
which can be submitted at
any time.
For more infor-
marion about the Kentucky
Work Ready Communities
program, go to http://
workready.ky.gov.
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In its fifth year, the Ken- students who create art them. For the artist, the of business Feb. 28, 2014.
tucky Department for En. using the contest themes creative process can foster All nominations must be
: vironmental Protection or categories of conserva- understanding and connec- sent via emall only to en.
(DEP) is soliciting nomina- tion, pollution prevention tion to our natural world, vhelp@ky.gov. A digital
tions for the 2013-14 Eco-and environmental protec- and we hope that the piec- picture of each artwork
:i Art Contest. The contest tion. Students may submit es they produce can help nomination must accom-
provides an opportunity for artwork using the media
studentsto gain statewide types of drawing/painting/
recognition for their art- print, mixed media, scull>
work as it relates to Ken- ture and photographs, with
tucky's environment. Used one winner for each sub-
as a tool for environmental mitted art type within each
education, art supports category.
DEP's mission to protect 'qlae Eco-Art Contest is
Kentucky's environment, an opportunity for students
Multiple awards will
be presented to eligible feelings and: ideas •about
Kentuclo/ hitch school the environment ,around
inspire and educate others
about Kentucky's environ-
ment," said R. Bruce Scott,
DEP commissioner.
Artwork from previous
years' contest winners is
displayed in the DEP Train-
ing Center in Frankfort,
where it has been viewed
to explore their thoughts, by hundreds of visitors.
Contest' nominations are :: at3OOFair Oaks Lane.
bein8 accepted until close
pany each form submitted.
Eligible students include
all students enrolled in
Kentucky public and pri-
vate high schools for the
2013-14 academic year.
Winners will be notified
in March, and winning en-
tries will be displayed in
the DEP Training Center
Saturday, November 30 at 10:00 a.m.
Take U.S. 32 East from Carlisle, Ky approximately 7 miles to auction site.
Stone Auction Service has been
authorized to auction this home and lot
(1.3 acres). An open house will be held
on Sunday, Nov 24th from 2- 3:30 p.m.
This is an all-electric, 1600 sq ft.
double-wide home. Consist of 3
baths, and abundance
of living space, on a block foundation
and on city water,
TERMS: $4,000 down, balance due with deed on or before Dec 30, 2013.
about the Eco-Art Contest
and to access a nomina-
tion form, visit http://dca.
ky.gov/LGGS/Pages/eco-
art.aspx or call the Division
of Compliance Assistance
toll-free at 800-926-8111.
of Owingsville
Try our new $3
buck breakfast!
• Open Thanksgiving Day 7-11 a.m.
Breakfast Only
• Senior Citizens' Night each week
Tuesday Night, 4-8 p. m: ........
.Food is 50% off (exetud 'ice zteam)'+ ;'
The KentuckyNewsGroup is now offe g to design your
custom election material. Promote yourself to the fullest
with our print design options!
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City Council
\
siness
• Buisness Cards
• Buttons
mmm
• Yard Signs
• Pens
lust
work it out.
• Car Magnets
are professionally :~
by Po,tn t of or . ....
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