July 31, 2019
For those considering a new career option, Ashland Community and Technical College’s lineman program can get you fully trained before Christmastime.
Workforce Solutions is offering an 11-week power lineman class beginning Aug. 19. The course includes a Class A CDL certification.
Lineman classes are from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Thursday through Nov. 8 and are located at the Technology Drive Campus.
The CDL training portion will be from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday, Nov. 11-Dec. 12.
The cost of the lineman program is $6,000 and financial assistance may be available. After class completion, starting pay ranges from $35,000-$60,000.
For more information on the program or financial assistance, contact Chris Boggs, ACTC’s project coordinator of new and expanding business and industry, at 606-326-2072 or email as_workforce@kctcs.edu
July 30, 2019
CTC is once again offering child care provider trainings. The cost is $15 per person per class. Fee must be paid at the time of registration.
Each three-hour class is taught by an ECE TRIS certified instructor and will be submitted to ECE TRIS for Child Care Provider Training hours. All classes will be at ACTC’s Roberts Drive Campus located at 4700 Roberts Drive, Building 5, Ashland.
To register for these trainings, call 606-326-2072.
Upcoming classes are:
Bringing the Book to Life: Aug. 17, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. — During this workshop, the information provided will help enhance the participants knowledge about the world of literacy and how children's books can create a new path of hands-on learning. This can be achieved by incorporating the storyline and characters into the learning materials fostering the child's imagination. This workshop will provide early childhood educators with activities and resources related to a variety of books used in early childhood learning environments.
Science Activities for Learning: Oct. 19, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. — This session will address the need for incorporating science into the childcare environment. The world is based on science and technology. It is the challenge of professionals to give children a firm foundation in this area right from the start. The hands-on workshop integrates activities for a variety of ages and introduces science experiments. This class is designed for infant/toddler staff, preschool staff and school age staff.
July 30, 2019
There will be a recertification classes for Kentucky electrical, plumbing and HVAC professionals on Aug. 17 at ACTC’s Roberts Drive Campus.
Green Energy and Business Practices is approved for Kentucky Electrical Contractors and HVAC Journeymen and Masters, electrical contractors and plumbers. Instructor Mike Bond will cover topics such as green energy trends, techniques and tips. The class gives eight continuing education hours.
Analysis of National Electrical Code (NEC) Upgrades is approved for Kentucky master electricians and electricians. Instructor Lennis Adkins will cover updates to the National Electrical Code. The class gives six continuing education hours.
Each class will begin at 8 a.m. at the Roberts Drive Campus. The classes will be available again on Oct. 19 and Nov. 9.
Each class is $89, and enrollment is through ACTC Workforce Solutions, 606-326-2072, or email as_workforce@kctcs.edu.
July 22, 2019
ACTC employees elected a new staff council for the 2019-2020 academic year.
The council is comprised of full-time ACTC employees who do not hold academic positions. The council serves as the organizational body for staff and promotes communication and unity between employees and faculty, promote and enhance the working conditions of all ACTC employees and promote the professional development of employees.
This year’s chair is Jennifer Allen, academic adviser. Vice chair is Paige Minnehan, department assistant. Secretary is Terri Duncan, welcome center department assistant. ACTC board of directors representative is Chrisha Spears, student affairs coordinator and GED Plus coordinator. ACTC Foundation representative is Ron McDavid, Student Support Services academic adviser.
Staff representatives are Ella Smith, administrative assistant; Orlando Currie, academic adviser; Jason Shields, coordinator of institutional effectiveness; Staci Cochran, student affairs assistant; and Cindy Runyon, administrative assistant.
July 8, 2019
Sometimes life throws you a curveball that changes everything. For Mollie Ratliff, it was having a child while in high school, which led her to drop out in order to grow up fast and take on new responsibilities.
Now, it’s Ratliff’s 11-year-old daughter (and 9-year-old son) who are again the catalyst for the Lawrence County, Ky., resident to take on new challenges, like earning her GED and college credentials at the same time.
“I want better for my kids, but I also want better for myself,” Ratliff said.
The 26-year-old started the GED Plus program in March with the goal of finishing her general education requirements as well as earning certificates in the Medicaid Nurse Aide and Phlebotomy programs. So far, she has completed both certificates and the social studies portion of the GED test. Her goal is the finish the other components — math, reading and science — before the end of summer.
Ratliff said she learned about the GED Plus program while visiting the Kentucky Skills U center (formerly Adult Education) in Lawrence County. After speaking with Chrisha Spears, GED Plus Success Coach at Ashland Community and Technical College, she decided to enroll and give it a shot.
“I thought, ‘OK, that’s something that I could do.’ And I went out on a limb with it and tried it,” Ratliff said. “I was really, really nervous. Because I was like, what if I can’t do it? What if I end up letting myself and my kids down? At first, I thought I would get into it and then it just not be for me. And I didn’t want to let my kids see me failing or quitting. Because I’ve always tried to teach them we aren’t quitters.”
The road to a GED while taking college classes hasn’t been an easy one, Ratliff said, but her children have given her the encouragement and support she needs.
“One day when I got home (from class) my daughter looked at me and asked me how it was going,” she said. “And I told her I didn’t know, that I wasn’t so sure about it. She said, ‘You can do it. You’re OK, you can do it.’ Then I was like, you know what? I can do it.”
Ratliff also said the Skills U and ACTC staff have been helpful during her time as a student.
“It’s hard. It’s harder than high school and I think that’s why a lot of people don’t even try to get their GED,” Ratliff said. “But it can be done. In Lawrence County, in Louisa, they are amazing. If you need help with something, they will sit down and explain it. They will help you the best that they can, because they want to see you better yourself too.”
The GED Plus program was launched earlier this year as a way to help those who do not have a high school diploma earn their credentials while co-enrolling in short-term college programs, allowing those students to enter the workforce faster. GED Plus is open to Kentucky adults who have not earned a high school diploma or GED. Those who have been out of school for a while sometimes have anxiety about college. GED Plus eliminates that concern because students receive one-on-one assistance from instructors and success coaches.
Prospective GED seekers must enroll at their local Skills U center, either in person or at https://gedplusky.org/get-started/. For those living in the FIVCO area, Skills U then sends the referral to Chrisha Spears at ACTC, who will follow up to set a meeting.
Spears is a recruiter for the program, academic advisor for the students in the program and success coach.
“I enroll them in classes, ensure they have assessment tests, schedule them for new student orientation and a final meeting to ensure that they are ready for GED and college,” Spears said. “And I send a roster to each ACTC instructor that is working with a GED Plus student. We then discuss how these students are different from traditional students, however are expected to achieve just like any other college student.
“As a success coach, I check in with the students multiple times throughout the semester, whether it be via email, phone or seeing them at the GED center. I may send them reminders to check something such as email or their Student Account Center. I may send them words of encouragement, whatever the situation needs. I also connect students to other services and resources.
Students may begin their GED at any time. For students who also want to earn their college credentials simultaneously, they must enroll an attend class based on college’s course schedule.
Programs that are eligible for the GED Plus program are:
Advanced Manufacturing
Gas Welder, ARC Cutter, Electrician Trainee Level 1, Maintenance Mechanic Level I, Welder Helper and Tack Welder
Business and IT
A+ Prep, Net+ Prep and Security+ Prep
Healthcare
Phlebotomy for the Health Care Worker, Medicaid Nurse Aide and Certified Medical Technician
Transportation and Logistics
Automotive Air Conditioning Mechanic, Manual Transmission/Drive Train Technician, Brake Repair, Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Technician, Engine Repair, Front End Mechanic, Automotive Electrician, Diesel Heavy Duty Drive Train Mechanic, Diesel Mechanics Fluid Power Mechanic, Diesel Steering and Suspension Mechanic, Heavy Duty Brake Mechanic Mobile Air Conditioning Mechanic, Preventive Maintenance Mechanic and Undercarriage Mechanic
Students who qualify for the GED Plus program can also take advantage of the Kentucky Work Ready Scholarship, which pays for tuition for short-term certificate programs.
The Boyd County Skills U center will have an open house event from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10 in Room 166 at ACTC’s College Drive Campus. There will be light refreshments and students can learn about the GED Plus program, meet with the Skills U instructors, complete a college application and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms.
For more information about GED Plus, contact Spears at chrisha.spears@kctcs.edu or visit https://gedplusky.org/. To find your local Skills U center, visit http://kyskillsu.ky.gov/.
