GLASGOW — BCR4R, a program to relaunch individuals into a career who have been out of the workforce for at least two years, is launching in Barren County.
The program is called the Barren County Resources for Re-Launch program and is through the local chamber of commerce and Barren Inc. They will receive a grant through the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Workforce Invest grant program, according to a news release.
In response to the increasing demand for a skilled workforce in the Tennessee Valley for perspective, expanding and existing businesses and industries, the Tennessee Valley Authority developed an innovative initiative, known as Workforce Invest, that will address critical workforce development needs.
The BCR4R program is designed to guide individuals through the unique challenges of re-entering the workforce after a long period of time has passed whether they are a mother who took time off to raise their family, someone who was a caregiver, incarcerated or recovering from a disability or injury.
“Program participants will build on past work experience, while gaining new skills including professional development, mentoring, and networking.” said Maureen Carpenter, President & CEO of Barren Inc.
Currently 6.7% of the working age (16-64) labor force in Barren County are unemployed, 1,168 are over the age of 19, with the right support, training, and resources, many of these individuals could soon enter the workforce.
Barren Inc will be partnering with Goodwill Industries, Western Kentucky University, Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College, local school systems and industries in Barren County to develop the curriculum that includes virtual based learning for basic skills and an in-person component for social integration, networking, and practical applications of an interview.
“As a community we are targeting workforce development from every angle, programs with high schools, dislocated workers, expungement programs, and skilled trade training. This program will specifically target a unique group of individuals that have yet to be tapped to come back into the workforce and fill the many vacant positions we have in the community,” said Karisa Peterson, 2022 Chairman of Barren Inc.
For the first time this year, the Chamber asked for voluntary contributions from its members to be used towards workforce and talent efforts. These contributions, coupled with support from the Barren County Economic Authority and Goodwill Industries, have made this program possible, as they will be used towards the grants required matching funds.
Barren Inc will begin the development of curriculum in October and has plans to release the BCR4R program during the second quarter of 2023.
