PRESS RELEASE
Glasgow News 1
On Oct. 13, the Barren County Economic Authority announced that it was awarded a Workforce Invest Grant by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to support collaborative efforts in training and education in partnership with Barren Beyond the Bell.
In response to the increasing demand for a trained workforce by business and industry, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), along with third-party consultant VisionFirst Advisors, developed an innovative initiative, known as Workforce Invest, in 2022. The goal of the
program is to address critical workforce development needs.
“We are thrilled to have received this grant from the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Workforce Invest Program,” said Maureen Carpenter, President and CEO at the Barren County Economic Authority. “This funding will be instrumental in addressing the childcare challenges faced by our community, and we are excited about the opportunities it brings for workforce expansion and individual empowerment.”
In a significant stride towards addressing the shortage of formal daycare training in Barren County, the Barren County Economic Authority has been selected as a recipient of grant funds to expand the Barren Beyond the Bell’s Nationally Registered Paid Apprenticeship initiative focused on expanding daycare options in the area while providing training opportunities for high school students and non-traditional learners to become certified daycare professionals.
“Fifteen years in manufacturing showed me the need for quality childcare for not just the day shift, but also 2nd and 3rd shift families as well. So, when Barren County Schools created the opportunity for our department to create a high-quality place of learning for children and also use this program to train adults and BC Early Childhood Education students, it was a dream come true!” said Sonya Davis, District Coordinator for Barren Beyond the Bell. “This grant will propel our training program so that our Nationally Registered Apprenticeship participants can work in our centers or open up their own centers so that our community can be better served.”
Barren County and its adjacent regions have been grappling with limited access to quality daycare services, particularly during the second shift, which is essential in the area’s manufacturing and healthcare driven economic landscape. Barren Beyond the Bell’s approach to the “Daycare Expansion for Workforce Expansion” aims to empower local students and adults, offering them the chance to earn certifications to work in or open their own daycare centers. This not only supports workforce growth but also enables parents, primarily women, to return to work when reliable daycare services are available.
“Having 22 Nationally Registered Apprenticeship students sets the BCHS Family and Consumer Science Education program and Barren Beyond the Bell Childcare Centers apart from any other programs in the state of Kentucky. Sonya Davis and the dedicated staff of professionals that work in our programs are raising the bar for teaching and learning for our children. This grant funding can ensure that more adults and students can get the credentials and professional learning they need to provide the highest quality of care for the children in Barren County.” stated Cheyanne Fant, Nutrition Services and 21st CCLC Director for the Barren County Board of Education.
The grant will be used to offset training costs, including licenses, certifications, and credentials, ensuring that barriers to entry are minimized for qualified participants. The program particularly targets a diverse range of individuals, including qualified students, single parents, non-participants in the workforce, displaced homemakers, and low-income individuals.
“TVA Economic Development is committed to our communities. Workforce Invest allows us to invest in programs that address the specific workforce and education needs at a local level. Each project funded provides needed training to residents while also filling the needs of industry. We are proud to support our local economic development partners,” said John Bradley, Senior Vice President of Economic Development for TVA. “Providing meaningful workforce training is a cornerstone issue of our national economy. TVA’s insight to develop the program will provide a multitude of opportunities not just for the participants but for entire communities. VisionFirst is thrilled to serve as the programmatic coordinator for Workforce Invest,” said Gray Swoope, President and CEO of VisionFirst Advisors.
The Barren Beyond the Bell Apprenticeship Program is set to play a pivotal role in addressing the area’s employment challenges. Barren County currently reports 905 job openings, with many of them spanning multiple shifts. The labor participation rate remains a concern, with the program strategically positioned to help bridge this gap by providing access to daycare services and, subsequently, filling vacant positions.
As the region anticipates growth in manufacturing opportunities, this program will serve as a catalyst in attracting and preparing a diverse workforce for these upcoming demands. The “Daycare Expansion for Workforce Expansion” team envisions a future where daycare expansion seamlessly integrates with workforce growth, creating a robust ecosystem that benefits families and the economy alike. As participants graduate from the program with certifications and newfound career paths, they contribute to the overall advancement of
Barren County and its neighboring areas.
Over the last two years, TVA has awarded Workforce Invest grants to more than 30 communities totaling more than $2 million.
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