Somerset Community College provides training for employees of local businesses through area business consortium

A new partnership between Somerset Community College, The Lake Cumberland Regional Training Consortium, and the Somerset-Pulaski Economic Development Authority will provide a variety of classes and training programs available exclusively to certain employees of locally-owned businesses. The class offerings promise to supply inexpensive yet high-quality training in a multitude of topics customized to the needs of the employers. Companies can earn credits for a state-level grant project that reimburses businesses that provide work-related training for employees.

The Lake Cumberland Regional Training Consortium (LCRTC) is a project that focuses on educating the workforce of regional businesses. It is a revived program through the Somerset-Pulaski Economic Development Authority (SPEDA), a county-wide organization that focuses on business development and improvement for its members. Somerset Community College provides the educational resources to help with training needs of SPEDA members. Member businesses pay $100.00 per year to join the LCRTC which makes them eligible for participation in training sessions Offered through SCC. Classes offered are based on a survey completed annually by member businesses which determine the 12 classes, one per month, that will be offered for the upcoming year. In a press release from Somerset, SCC Vice President for Workforce Solutions Alesa Johnson stated that giving employers the opportunity to select training topics is what makes the program unique. Johnsoan also said, "This training consortium is a great opportunity for all employers, regardless of size, to get the quality skills training their employees need at a very reasonable price."

Classes typically cost $25.00 to $40.00 per participant and are usually held at the SCC campus, although if employees from a single business are the only participants, classes may be able to be held on-site for the company. Class options cover topics relating to leadership strategies, workplace safety, technical training, and team development. The setup of the program also aids SCC in focusing their degree programs on skills that are relevant to local employers. "The colleges and schools all need to know what employers need from us to be training our students," SCC Director of Grants Elaine Kohrman said in an article published by the Commonwealth Journal.

SPEDA President and CEO Chris Girdler explains why the cooperation between his organization and SCC are critical in attracting and retaining business in Somerset-Pulaski County, "The education we provide, the skills we teach, and the way we treat those who choose to open their doors here are crucial in retaining and recruiting employees and businesses. SPEDA is involved in every turn at making sure processes are in place to grow a strong workforce, and training is a crucial part of that. We want our employers, and their employees, to feel they have the training resources they need to be successful." Participating companies are also incentivized to participate in employee training programs through the Bluegrass State Skills Grant, which reimburses companies for worker training.