News Release
Contact: Janet Williams Hoover (502) 564-6606
JanetW.Hoover@mail.state.ky.us
Governor presents Workforce Investment Act awards
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 25, 2001) - Gov. Paul Patton presented awards to five alumni of state employment and training programs in a ceremony in Frankfort today. The five Kentuckians were recognized for overcoming educational, financial and personal obstacles to become successfully employed.
The awards, sponsored by the Cabinet for Workforce Development’s Department for Training and ReEmployment and the Kentucky Workforce Investment Board, recognize exemplary participants in Workforce Investment Act (WIA) programs.
The governor also presented awards to four employers and programs involved in education and training funded by WIA.
“We’re honoring five successful Kentuckians today,” the governor said, “but they represent the unsung thousands who struggle against many odds to change and enhance their lives for themselves and their families.”
Information on award winners follows.
Outstanding
WIA Alumni Awards
Wanda Colegrove - A rock truck driver, Colegrove lost her job when her employer closed the company. After 25 years out of the classroom, she went back to school in January 1999 to become a certified medical lab assistant. While in school, Colegrove had a heart attack and bypass surgery and her sister and husband were both diagnosed with cancer. Despite these obstacles, she maintained a 4.0 grade-point average and was valedictorian of her class. She is working toward an associate’s degree in medical lab technology and is employed part time by a company that performs on-site medical screenings for business and industry. She is a resident of Lovely in Martin County.
Clara Collins - When she was laid off from a bookkeeping job, Collins enrolled in the WIA dislocated worker program. With financial assistance, she earned her associate’s degree in nursing from Prestonsburg Community College in December 2000. Within a month of graduation, she was hired as a registered nurse by Highland Medical Center in Prestonsburg. Part of her job involves training new nurses assigned to her department. She enjoys this aspect of her job so much that she is considering returning to school to become qualified to teach nursing. She is a resident of Inez in Martin County.
Amandia Ferguson - A troubled student, Ferguson enrolled in the WIA Youth Career Program during her junior year at Metcalfe County High School. Based on the student’s interest in art, an instructor arranged a job shadowing experience with Jeannie Spears, a local artist. While assisting Spears paint backgrounds and scenery for plays, Ferguson’s attitude, temperament, grades and self-esteem improved. Now a high school graduate, she is selling her own artwork. She is a former Metcalfe County resident.
Wallice Houchens - After losing her job of 37 years when Kentucky Apparel relocated to Mexico, Houchens earned an associate’s degree from Draughons Jr. College in Bowling Green. She graduated with a 4.0 grade-point average and perfect attendance. She is employed as a career specialist with the Glasgow Area Career Center. Houchens is a Glasgow resident.
George Rodgerson - After trying farming and working at an entry-level, low-paying job, Rodgerson realized that upgrading his education was the key to providing for his family. With counseling and financial assistance from WIA, Rodgerson earned associate's and bachelor’s degrees from Murray State University in May 2000. He is now working full time at the Buffalo Trace Area Development District. He is a Hillsboro resident.
Outstanding
WIA Program Awards
Bell-Whitley Community Action Program - The Bell-Whitley WIA youth program provides occupational skills training, alternative school opportunities, learning centers, job-search skills and a variety of traditional and non-traditional job opportunities. The program is headquartered in Pineville.
Grant County Board of Education - The board’s Positive Outcome Program helps local low-income youth to obtain a credential and/or employment while gaining life skills. The program is showing a significant impact in providing a skilled workforce to promote growth in the Grant County area and in Kentucky.
Outstanding
Employer Award
Alcan Ingot - This Henderson County company has been involved in the creation and maintenance of the Green River’s One-Stop Career Center System. Several of the company’s employees have served on WIA committees and the Green River Workforce Investment Board. The company has supported and facilitated local workforce partnerships.
Excellence
in Customer Service Award
Carole Ann Butler - Butler is an employee of Education and Training Resources in Munfordville and teaches certified nurse assistant classes for women who are improving their education and their standard of living. She is described as “tenacious” about making sure her students succeed. In the past three years, 83 percent of her students have passed their state test and become employed. Ten are furthering their nursing education.
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