Promising Practices

The Southeast area of Kentucky is a very rural area, with jobs in coal mining and various technical fields. The Industrial Career Camp provides early education in technical fields to middle and high school level students. Students who have expressed an interest will learn what it takes to be successful in a technical career, including technical skills and workplace safety. The camp helps to create a bridge for the student between secondary and postsecondary schools. Building the skill level and awareness of the students attending this camp will help to create knowledgeable, skilled workforce with the desire to gain certification and at least a 2-year degree. This camp will begin to prepare students to become competent members of the workforce.

Students will be surveyed initially to determine their level of knowledge in construction technology (carpentry, surveying and mapping, electricity, and air conditioning technology), transportation (auto technology, auto body repair, diesel technology, and heavy equipment operations), and manufacturing (welding, computer-aided drafting (CAD), electronics, and industrial maintenance). They will learn lab safety and operate basic hand and power tools, as well as gaining an understanding of the educational background needed to enter these fields. Students will use the Occupational Outlook Handbook and the Internet to explore careers within their interest areas.

Students will be surveyed initially to determine their levels of knowledge in the areas of construction technology, transportation, and manufacturing. At the end of the camp, students will again be surveyed, to determine how much knowledge they have attained from their participation in this camp.

Staff includes the camp director, three certified teachers, and two camp counselors.

$2500

TECO Coal Company
Trus Joist a Weyhauser Company
Mountain Ford
The Free Federal Lunch Program provides breakfast and lunch