Jack Limle had already been thinking about attempting a medical career when he met Paintsville Mayor Doug Pugh this week. At that meeting, Pugh gave Jack and seven other young Johnson County job seekers more than 45,000 reasons why a medical career might be a good idea.

“The city of Paintsville has just lost three paramedics to Pikeville for about $15,000 more a year,” Pugh told participants in the “Success NSight” program, which delivers training in several helpful skills for young job seekers. “Now, those people will be making over $45,000 a year. Medical jobs are the hottest things going right now, and I think they’re going to stay that way.”

Pugh told the Success NSight participants that Paintsville’s loss could be their gain since the city now has openings for emergency medical technicians (EMTs). However, landing those jobs involves much more than simply filling out applications, he added.

Having a well-crafted resume and knowing how to perform in job interviews will help a person get a job, Pugh said. Positive work traits like punctuality, neatness, a good appearance, and a good attitude will help that person keep a job once they get it.

“All of these things really do matter,” he said.

The Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program, Inc. (EKCEP) launched Success NSight as a way to offer older teens and young adults intensive preparation for entering the job market. Success NSight delivers training in key job-search and workplace skills. The three-week program is administered by Workforce Investment Act (WIA) staff of the Big Sandy Area Community Action Program (Big Sandy CAP) under the guidance and management of EKCEP.

John David Preston, a former Paintsville Mayor, state senator, and commonwealth’s attorney, also spoke to the Success NSight group. Preston stressed the importance of perfection in resumes and cover letters.

“The smallest difference can make a difference,” he said.

He also encouraged the participants to keep adding to their pool of skills even after they land jobs.

“Employers are always raising the bar higher in what we have to do to stay competitive … so while you’re young and have the energy, you should continue to upgrade your skills and acquire new ones,” Preston said.

Learning and perfecting job-interview skills are important components of the Success NSight curriculum. This week participants began a round of mock job interviews, and completed sample job applications. WIA staff then analyzed their performances and identified areas that need improvement.

Success NSight also allows the participants to “shadow” professionals working in skilled jobs to learn about workplace behavior and interactions.

Life skills that support successful employment are another important part of the curriculum. Throughout the course, Jim Stewart, Career Development facilitator for Big Sandy CAP, is teaching lessons on several basic aspects of money management. Those lessons include detailed information on interest rates, ways to build good credit, the importance of savings, and savings options provided by banks.

Stewart said having professionals like Pugh and Preston speak to the participants is a crucial part of the program.

“These people are telling them real-life things,” Stewart said. “They speak with such conviction—and the participants believe them—because they’re the ones out there actually hiring people and they know what they’re talking about.”

The messages delivered through Success NSight definitely registered with Limle, who dropped out of high school during his senior year but later earned a GED. He got involved in Success NSight because he hasn’t yet chosen a career. Pugh’s words seemed to help steer him toward a decision.

“The EMT thing—that sounds like something I’d like to do,” Limle said. “I’m married and have a daughter to support, so the benefits and pay sound good to me. (Pugh’s) taking the time to come down here and tell us about that in person meant a lot.

“This program gives you a bit of an edge in your job search, and if you’re willing to work and want to work, it’s worth it because it helps in so many ways,” Limle said.