Ashland Community and Technical College looking for Education First Employer program partners

Ashland Community and Technical College is seeking new partners to participate in the Education First Employer program, which was established in 2023 in partnership with Governor Andy Beshear and TEAM Kentucky. The Education First Employer (EFE) program seeks to strengthen the state’s workforce by creating talent pipelines through recognizing employers who offer tuition assistance and reimbursements, among other support, to their employees who choose to pursue higher education. There are currently 60 employers participating in the program.

According to an article on Ashland Community and Technical College’s website, Robin Harris, who serves as the executive director of Workforce Solutions at the college, was quoted as saying of the benefits of the EFE program, “The Education First Employers program makes it easier for students to work and learn at the same time. It’s a win-win. Students get hands-on experience, and employers get reliable, motivated team members who are building the skills they need on the job.”

Employers and businesses that want to earn an EFE designation must offer tuition assistance or reimbursements to attend higher education classes, flexible scheduling to accommodate course schedules, and pay employees competitive wages that will ensure a sustainable livelihood. Additionally, they must agree to work with Ashland Community and Technical College to help increase job placement and improve the overall employability of the college’s students. Doing these things will result in the employer earning an EFE designation, which provides them with increased visibility throughout the Kentucky Community and Technical College system, such as in career services or other system-wide platforms.

Student interest is growing, as are workforce demands, leading to the school to search for additional partners to become EFE designated. The first two regional participants are UK Kings Daughters and Marathon Petroleum, and the first statewide participant is Goodwill Industries of Kentucky.

For more information about Ashland Community and Technical College, visit the school’s website.