HAGER HILL, Ky. – Mountain Enterprises, Inc. and the Floyd County School System announced a collaboration that will allow students to earn credentials in heavy equipment operations through the new Floyd County School of Innovation. The new partnership was announced on Thursday, August 27 at an event at Mountain Enterprises’ facility in Hager Hill. 

“We take pride in providing good jobs that allow many in eastern Kentucky to work here and raise a family here,” said Andy Rodabaugh, president and general manager of Mountain Enterprises, Inc. “This partnership will allow us to reach a new generation and train and educate the skilled trades that will allow these students to stay in the region.”

Angie Reynolds, director of human resources at Mountain Enterprises, said that like many companies, they are dealing with an aging workforce. 

“We know that we are going to need a large number of workers to replace those who will retire in the next four years,” said Williams, “This partnership will allow us to reach students, especially those who want to learn a trade and enter the workforce right out of high school, as freshman and prepare them to earn a variety of credentials that will make them employable.”

Thirty-five students from Floyd County Schools will participate in the inaugural class.  Those entering as freshman will be able to potentially earn four levels of certifications operating wheel loaders, backhoes, dozers, and excavators.  Mountain Enterprises will focus on the wheel loading and backhoe training, while providing an on-site training operation, equipped with both simulators and real equipment.  All credentials earned will be provided by the  National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER).  Mountain Enterprises is an accredited training sponsor of NCCER.

“This partnership will allow our students to walk out of high school and be highly employable,” said Danny Adkins, superintendent of Floyd County Schools. “This is how we can change the economy in Eastern Kentucky – by producing employable students.”

Joshua Ball, associate executive director of Shaping Our Appalachian Region, inc. (SOAR) attended Thursday’s announcement.