A group of local young people recently got an up close and personal look at career opportunities at a local business, thanks to the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).

Sixteen students from Hazard, Perry Central and Buckhorn high schools toured the Whayne Supply plant in Hazard as part of the Envision Youth Program, funded by WIA. Envision offers a wide variety of activities that help prepare young people for life after high school.

Tim Embry, Whayne vice president and branch operations manager, said Whayne wants to show young people that there are opportunities to find good jobs without leaving the mountains.

Pat Baker, service manager for Whayne Supply, showed the young people around the plant and talked about the techniques and technology Whayne Supply uses to provide service and support for its heavy equipment customers.

“It was neat to find out about all they do. It was a good experience,” said Allen Messer, one of the young people who took the tour.

Embry was impressed with how much attention the group paid during the tour.

"They seemed really interested. It’s those young people who may be our future employees,” Embry said.

Brian Fields, Envision coordinator, said he appreciated how Whayne Supply “rolled out the red carpet” to provide an educational opportunity for the local young people.

"It was a very informative tour,” Fields said. “They talked about many of the various jobs available at Whayne Supply and what training is needed to hold each position. I think the young people gained information that will assist them with career planning in the future.”

The Envision group did not have to travel far to get the tour; Whayne Supply is next door to Envision’s home base at the Perry County JobSight workforce center on Roy Campbell Drive, where local people can access more than a dozen workforce development services and programs.

Jack Duff, manager of the JobSight, said Whayne Supply has been a perfect neighbor and partner, using JobSight services to help it with training, screening, and other workforce needs while always being willing to help JobSight when it can.

"They’re not only an asset for Hazard and Perry County, they’re a great asset for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. We’re very fortunate to have them as a neighbor and as an employer customer,” Duff said.

The Envision Youth Program is one of many WIA-funded services offered at the Perry County JobSight by LKLP Community Action Council, under contract with Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program, Inc. (EKCEP). WIA services help people find work or get the education and training that will prepare them for a careers and a good start in the working world.

For more information about the Envision Youth Program, call Brian Fields at 606-436-3161. For information about other WIA services that help build careers for people of all ages, visit www.ekcep.org.