HOPKINS CO., KY (WFIE) -
Lieutenant Governor Jerry Abramson made a special announcement on Monday in Hopkins County as he talked to community leaders at the chamber of commerce.
Monday's big announcement was that the community received a check worth $250,000 that will bring the county one step closer to becoming a Work Ready Community.
"You're going to be a liability to the community in which you live if you don't continue your education," Abramson said.
Abramson applauded the different organizations in Hopkins County for their commitment to education and the youth of this community.
"It really has a collaboration that will ultimately make a difference in the success of this community," Abramson said.
Representatives from all local levels of education spoke on Monday. Abramson says that commitment to teaching kids the importance of earning a degree seems to be a standard here, which will go a long way.
"With a college degree, nationally, it's a 3% unemployment rate. If you dropped out of high school, it's a 15% unemployment rate so you don't have to be a rocket science to understand," Abramson said.
Education is a key factor in earning a Work Ready Community distinction and Hopkins County is one of three that is Work Ready in Progress.
Abramson presented the county with $250,000 that will go towards residents earning a National Career Readiness Certificate.
"Getting more people to complete work they've done towards degrees and getting more people to have the work ready certification. Those two things are just critical to enhancing our image as a Work Ready Community," said chamber president, Harriett Whitaker.
The test to earn that certificate costs over $50 to take, and a certain number of residents are required to pass in order to become Work Ready, but the state is making that free to local residents.
The county hopes to become work ready in the next three years.
The locations that you can take that NCRC Assessment are-
- Office of Employment & Training, 270-824-7562
- MCC Workforce Solutions, 270-824-8658
- MCC Assessment Center, 270-824-1701
- Job Net Career Center, 270-821-9966
Copyright 2012 WFIE. All rights reserved.
Education is a key factor in earning a Work Ready Community distinction and Hopkins County is one of three that is Work Ready in Progress.
