Published: November 19, 2009 08:47 am      

KCEOC office helps people find work

By Becky Manley / Staff Writer

After being laid off from his factory job for a year, John Brock, 51, is worried about paying his heating bills this winter.

Despite concerns about immediate expenses, Brock believes his future job prospects are bright.

As a result of educational assistance funds secured through the KCEOC Community Action Partnership Workforce Investment Act office in Barbourville, Brock is now pursuing a degree as a registered nurse at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College in Middlesboro.

Tuition and training assistance are among the services offered by the KCEOC Workforce Investment Act office, according to Rebecca Napier, who is a case manager for dislocated workers.

Napier said her office also helps people craft resumes and can provide job listings gathered from various sources.

All services provided by her office are free and funded by federal grants, Napier said.

“Basically, I’m a tool that they can utilize to become more marketable,” Napier said.

The only challenge Napier faces is spreading word about those services.

“I feel like this is almost one of the best kept secrets,” Napier said about her office.

To help inform the public, Napier organized a Career Development Open House held at her office Wednesday.

Since Napier’s office serves only Knox County residents, representatives from Corbin’s Office of Employment and Training, which serves residents in Whitley and Laurel counties, also were available at the open house.

Napier said while many of the clients she helps have high school or college degrees, they need to update their training to qualify for today’s technologically savvy careers.

Brock, who received his bachelor’s in biology from Union College in 1988, is among those clients who needs updated training.

After earning a 4.0 grade point average midterm this semester at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College, Brock said he’s optimistic about gaining admission to nursing school next fall.

“I should have a little bit of an edge there, I think,” Brock said. “I will make it someway, somehow.”

FOR ASSISTANCE

Displaced workers who live in Knox County should contact the KCEOC Community Action Partnership Workforce Investment Act office, 464 Court Square, Barbourville, or call 546-2639. Job

seekers who live in Whitley and Laurel counties should visit the Office of Employment and Training, 310 Roy Kidd Ave., Corbin, or call

528-3460.