May 2021
Your News & Updates
KCTCS, KAM celebrate students Going Pro
The Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) and the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers (KAM) are celebrating rookies in advanced manufacturing and the companies hiring them. Just like NFL athletes who go pro, these students prepare for the next level — a good career in the manufacturing field.
 
“Every year, KCTCS prepares students to go pro in advanced manufacturing careers that lead to a better life,” KCTCS President Paul Czarapata said. “Because the colleges align their programs with local business needs, graduates are prepared to walk out of college and into a high paying career.
 
This year, KCTCS had nearly 3,000 manufacturing grads and 435 business partners. Students graduated from the following manufacturing-related programs.
 
·      Industrial Maintenance
·      Computerized Machining and Manufacturing
·      Welding Technology
·      Engineering and Electronics Technology
·      Electrical Technology
·      Computer Assisted Drafting
·      Air Conditioning Technology
 
“We’re excited to join KCTCS for this virtual Going Pro event,” said KAM Executive Director Lee Lingo. “The KCTCS colleges offer Kentuckians affordable technical education and direct access to thousands of high-paying jobs across the state. Kentucky would not be the manufacturing and logistics powerhouse it is without the workforce to back up our standing. The programs offered through KCTCS coupled with its apprenticeship to direct-hire jobs are unparalleled. The skilled trades are the foundational and continually needed jobs of the future. The Kentucky Association of Manufacturers is proud to partner with KCTCS to highlight the workforce of the future through Going Pro.”
 
Kentucky has 4500 manufacturing facilities employing more than 250,000. According to a 2020 wage and benefits survey from KAM, the overall weighted average wage for participating companies is $23.52 per hour or nearly $49,000 a year.
 
More information about the graduates and employers are available at the Going Pro website.
 
Students share motivation for staying in college during pandemic
It was a simple question for not so simple times: What kept you motivated to stay in college during the pandemic?
 
More than 100 students who attend one of the 16 colleges of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) took the time to answer as part of a video contest. Winners were announced last Friday in several categories.
 
The grand prize winner was selected by a panel of judges who scored participants on several criteria such as a memorable and compelling story. The grand prize winner was Ngyala Ezra from Bluegrass Community and Technical College who receives a laptop and $500 gift card. Ezra said he was motivated by his brother who’s helped him navigate online classes. His video also shared motivational quotes ending with one he wrote for himself.
 
The video receiving the most votes by YouTube viewers was submitted by Arnulfo Ayala Martinez from Henderson Community College (HCC). His mantra of “I never give up” resonated with voters. He also receives a laptop.
 
Additionally, two entrants’ names were randomly drawn to win AirPods and two were drawn to win $50 gift cards. Rebecca Pile from Elizabethtown Community and Technical College and Chandra Beth Coates from Hazard Community and Technical College were the AirPods winners. Danielle Fuqua from Jefferson Community and Technical College and Gabriel Eisenhauer from Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College won $50 gift cards.
 
Two lucky voters also won AirPods.
 
Entries were received from all 16 colleges. The videos may be viewed at https://kctcs.edu/video_contest/index.aspx
Dr. Paul Czarapata | KCTCS President