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Gate Precast held a session Tuesday, June 1, to assist employees who recently lost their jobs with the company. The Kentucky Rapid Response team, a state-funded group to help transition workers to another job, was in attendance to inform employees on job and education opportunities available to them.
Due to COVID-19’s effect on the market, Gate Precast will be closing production in the coming months. The company let 40 employees go, and retained approximately 20 to help wind down the business. In the meantime, Gate worked with the Rapid Response team to host an information session and job fair.
Businesses in attendance at the event include Aerotek Staffing and Recruiting, Staffmark, Prestress Services Industries, Contech Engineered Solutions, PMI Industrial Construction and Fabrication, and Save-A-Lot. Recruiters for these companies informed Gate employees of opportunities available to them, giving out business cards and informational packets.
Speakers for Bluegrass Community and Technical College informed employees about scholarships, grants, and other college programs for which they may be eligible. Depending on the program, Gate employees have the opportunity to attend free courses with books and supplies paid in full, with no high school diploma required.
The BCTC Clark County Schools U program is offering classes that include science, social studies, English, and math to Gate, free of charge. In addition, this program promises a speedy education to get people back into work as soon as possible.
The BCTC Workforce Solutions program was given a Department of Labor Grant that serves people between the ages of 16 and 24, or anyone with a disability. Qualification is based on income, but those who qualify will have free tuition and supplies, along with transportation and childcare services. The program also boasts career counselors and paid apprenticeships.
“We have training in the skills and trades area,” said Bruce Manley, BCTC Winchester campus director. “If you want to be in construction, HVAC, an electrician, a plumber – those are all high-wage, high-demand fields. We have those programs at BCTC, and those programs are tuition-free. The work-ready Kentucky Scholarship will pay your tuition in any healthcare field, advanced manufacturing field, business, IT, or Logistics.”
For more information on these BCTC programs, the Winchester-Clark campus can be contacted at (859) 246-6595.