At SOAR, we often say that no single organization can solve Eastern Kentucky’s biggest challenges alone.
Whether we’re addressing workforce shortages, expanding access to education, or creating new career pathways, lasting progress happens when partners come together around a shared purpose.
That’s exactly what happened through a new collaboration led by Big Sandy Community and Technical College, where funding from the Kentucky Community and Technical College System’s TRAINS initiative, combined with support from SOAR, Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program (EKCEP), and Big Sandy Area Community Action Program (BSACAP), removed financial barriers for students pursuing careers as paramedics.
The result is more than workforce training.
It’s an investment in the health, safety, and well-being of our communities by preparing the emergency medical professionals our region depends on every day.
This collaborative approach reflects the core of SOAR’s mission. We work alongside colleges, workforce organizations, employers, and community partners to identify gaps, remove barriers, and create pathways that connect Eastern Kentuckians to meaningful careers while helping employers meet critical workforce needs.
It’s the same approach behind our recently announced partnership with the six Kentucky Community and Technical College System colleges serving the SOAR region to launch a comprehensive Energy Training Program. Supported through funding from the GitLab Foundation and the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority, that initiative is creating new pathways into high-demand careers across Kentucky’s growing energy sector.
Different industries. Different opportunities. The same commitment to building a stronger Eastern Kentucky through collaboration.
If your business would like to learn more about programs such as KCTCS TRAINS, SOAR’s EKY Talent Network is here to help.