Monticello — With unemployment rising into the double digits around the Lake

Cumber-land area, the Lake Cumber-land Community Action Agency is launching

a new program that is aimed at helping people train and find jobs.

The Job Opportunities and Business Services Program (JOBS) is geared at

helping the unemployed or those who are underemployed. Local businesses will

also gain from the program, which is designed to offer technical courses and

certification or on the job training free of charge to low income qualified

individuals.

Individuals who participate will receive services at no cost and may be

eligible for funding designed to assist in achieving educational and

employment goals. Oppor-tunities for fields of studies include: Hospitality

Training Program; A+ Computer Operating Systems; Dream-weaver CS3 Basic Web

Page Design; Office Technology Program; and State Registered Nurse Aid

(SRNA). There is also money available to help with the cost of gas and

books.

"Our plan is to bring the classes into the community to make it more

convenient for participants," said Candy Groce, JOBS Specialist with the

Lake Cumberland Community Action Agency.

Participants can also choose to do on-the-job training for employers who

are participating in the program. Employers benefit by hiring someone with

the JOBS Program in a number of ways. The program will reimburse the

employer up to 520 hours at $7.25 per hour for participants who are training

through the JOBS Program.

Businesses who participate are also eligible to receive about 96 hours

of job shadowing reimbursement at $7.25 per hour. Groce said there are local

businesses who have expressed an interest in participating and they are

continuing to look for even more opportunities in the community.

There are income guidelines for individuals who participate in the

program. For example, a family of four can make $3,600 a month and still

qualify for the program.

"The goal of this program is sustainable employment," said Groce.

Anyone who would like more information about the JOBS Program should

contact Groce at (606) 687-0245 or by e-mail at candy-groce@lc-caa.org.