>> THESE GUYS, I THINK THEY FEEL GOOD.

THEY FEEL CONFIDENT THAT THEY HAVE A PLAN.

>> Renee: WE INTRODUCE YOU TO A PROGRAM THAT'S GETTING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS PLUGGED IN TO ELECTRICAL CAREERS.

>> I'VE LEARNED THE DIFFERENT MOVEMENTS OF THE DRONE.

THERE'S LIKE TURNING AROUND.

>> SOME YOUNG KENTUCKIANS LEARN THE UPS AND DOWNS OF PILOTING A DRONE.

>> IF YOU GIVE A KID A CHANCE, AND IF THERE'S SOME PROFESSIONALS THAT CAN SACRIFICE THEIR TIME, FOR THE GOODWILL OF CHILDREN, GREAT THINGS HAPPEN.

>> PLUS A PROGRAM THAT'S TURNING KIDS AWAY FROM VIOLENCE, AND TOWARD A CAREER IN HEALTHCARE.

>> A REALLY INTERESTING TIME WHERE WE POTENTIALLY HAVE FOUR GENERATIONS IN A WORKPLACE, KIND OF LEARNING HOW TO WORK TOGETHER.

>> AND SOME YOUNG PROFESSIONALS GET THE OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME TO BUILD THEIR BUSINESS SKILLS.

♪ >> Renee: GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO THIS SPECIAL LABOR DAY EDITION OF "KENTUCKY EDITION".

HOPING YOU'RE HAVING A LABOR-LESS DAY TODAY.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

LABOR DAY IS A CELEBRATION OF THE AMERICAN LABOR FORCE.

TONIGHT... WE ARE HIGHLIGHTING SOME OF THE PROGRAMS HERE IN KENTUCKY THAT ARE PREPARING THE NEXT GENERATION OF AMERICAN WORKERS.

WE INTRODUCE YOU TO A PROGRAM THAT'S GETTING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS PLUGGED IN TO ELECTRICAL CAREERS.

A PROGRAM CALLED GROW YOUR OWN TEACHER IS NOT ONLY PUTTING THEM ON THE PATH TO BECOMING A TEACHER, BUT IT CAN HELP WITH THE STATE'S TEACHER SHORTAGE.

>> IT IS A TEACHER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS IN HIGH SCHOOL, GRADES 9-12.

STUDENTS CAN ENTER AS A NINTH GRADER, TENTH GRADER, 12TH GRADER, WE HAVE MULTIPLE ENTRY POINTS AND DEPENDING ON WHEN THEY ENTER THE PROGRAM DEPENDS ON HOW MANY YEARS OF POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION THEY NEED TO DO.

>> THE UNIQUE THING ABOUT THIS ONE IS STUDENTS IN HIGH SCHOOL GETTING TO EXPERIENCE WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE A TEACHER.

AND, WITH ANY OF THOSE CAREER PATHWAYS THAT A HIGH SCHOOL O OFER, IT IS JUST AS IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS TO FIND OUT WHAT THEY DON'T WANT TO DO, AS WHAT THEY DO WANT TO DO.

AND, IT IS GOING TO SAVE THEM A LOT OF TIME AND MONEY AND REALLY ENSURE THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THEY WANT TO DO.

AND BE COMMITTED TO.

AND I THINK IT GIVES A GREAT PRE-SERVICE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE IF THIS IS THE CAREER PATH FOR THEM.

>> SO WE HAVE A PARTNERSHIP WITH JCTC SO THE STUDENTS IN THE TEACHING AND LEARNING PATHWAY CAN TAKE DUAL CREDIT COURSES WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL, AND THEN, DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER THEY ACCUMULATE, THEY WILL GO TO U OF L POST-SECONDARY, AND, ANYWHERE FROM TWO TO THREE TO FOUR YEARS BECOME A CERTIFIED TEACHER.

ALL WHILE DOING THAT, THEY ARE WORKING WITH A MENTOR TEACHER IN THEIR HOME DISTRICT, AND THEY ARE GOING TO BE PAID THEIR SENIOR YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL AND THE YEARS THAT THEY ARE AT U OF L AS AN APPRENTICE SO THEY ARE LEARNING IN THEIR DISTRICT, IN THE CLASSROOM THEY MAY FUTURE TEACH IN, THAT'S KIND OF ON THE JOB TRAINING AND REALLY HOPING THAT BY HAVING THIS EXPERIENCE, WE'RE GOING TO INSTILL THAT JOY AND LOVE FOR TEACHING AND HELP TO PREPARE THEM TO BE JOB READY WHEN THEY GRADUATE.

AS WE WERE DESIGNING AND AS THE PILOT WAS HAPPENING IN BULLET COUNTY, I THINK THAT WAS KIND OF A HAPPY SURPRISE THAT IT IS ALSO SUPPORTING THOSE TEACHERS WHO ARE SERVING AS THE MENTORS.

THE AVERAGE TURNOVER RATE AMONG OUR 14 DISTRICTS IS ABOUT 20 TO 25% A YEAR.

NOT ALL OF THOSE TEACHERS ARE LEAVING THE PROFESSION.

SOME ARE GOING ON TO BECOME PRINCIPALS OR MOVING SCHOOLS BUT WHEN YOU HAVE THAT MUCH TURNOVER, YOU HAVE VACANCIES THAT NEED TO BE FILLED.

YOU HAVE FEWER INTO UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS IN EDUCATION, CHOOSING OTHER PROFESSIONS BEYOND EDUCATION.

AND SO WE'RE REALLY WORKING WITH OUR DISTRICTS TO TRY TO HELP THEM FIND TEACHERS WHO RECRUIT NEW PEOPLE TO THE PROFESSION.

WE ARE IN THE RECRUITING PHASE RIGHT NOW, AND, WE ARE IN CONVERSATIONS AND PLANNING MEETINGS THAT WITH FOUR OF THE 14 DISTRICTS AT THIS POINT.

AND HOPEFULLY, WE WILL BRING ON MANY MORE, AND WE'LL BE VERY EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE WHEN WE MAKE SOME FINALIZED PLANS WITH SOME OF THE MEMBER DISTRICTS TO GET THIS ROLLING HOPEFULLY THIS FALL.

OHIO VALLEY EDUCATIONAL COOPERATIVE 14 SCHOOL DISTRICTS INCLUDING JEFFERSON COUNTY.

>> KENTUCKY IS ALSO DEALING WITH A SHORTAGE OF QUALIFIED ELECTRICIANS.

ACCORDING TO A RECENT DATA REPORT, THERE ARE MORE THAN 11,000 POSITIONS OPEN FOR ELECTRICIANS IN STATE.

AND APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM THROUGH JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AIMS TO PLUG THAT GAP.

>> WE ARE TRAINING AND EDUCATING 22JCPS STUDENTS IN THE ELECTRICAL PATHWAY PROGRAM THROUGH THE ACADEMY.

THE STUDENTS HAVE BEEN, THE LAST TWO YEARS THEY'VE BEEN TRAINING AND BEING EDUCATED BY THE SCHOOLS IN THE PROGRAM SO THIS IS THEIR NEXT STEP INTO ENTERING THE ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY AND ACTUALLY WORKFORCE AND GETTING JOB PLACEMENT WITH SOME OF OUR MEMBERS.

WE HAVE HIGHLY QUALIFIED EXPERIENCED INSTRUCTORS, THAT ACTUALLY TEACH IN OUR PROGRAM, OUR FOUR-YEAR PROGRAM FORGETTING THAT TYPE OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE BUT ALSO, GOING TO BE ABLE TO BE HERE IN THIS FACILITY AND THAT'S BUILT SPECIFICALLY FOR TRAINING ELECTRICIANS.

WHEN THEY ACTUALLY TRANSITION INTO THE WORKFORCE, THEY ARE GOING TO BE WELL PREPARED AND BE SUCCESSFUL HE ELECTRICIANS AND WHERE THEY CAN PERFORM HIGHLY IN THEIR JOBS AND DO THOSE JOBS VERY SAFELY.

>> WE DO A LOT OF HANDS ON, AND WELL, I DON'T KNOW, IT WAS LIKE, THIS IS ACTUALLY EXCITING GETTING TO DO THE WORK IS MORE EXCITE THAN JUST READING ABOUT IT.

AND, WIRING AND STRIPPING THE WIRE.

I DON'T KNOW, IT JUST -- IT IS LIKE A CLOSE CONNECTION TO IT.

>> AND I LIKE WORKING HANDS ON A LOT BETTER THAN ACTUALLY STAYING IN THE CLASSROOM, FLIPPING THROUGH PAGES, READING ALL OF THIS AND THAT.

>> THIS IS MORE THAN JUST LIKE, ELECTRICAL.

THIS IS LIKE LIFE EXPERIENCE, YOUR OWN HOME, YOU DON'T HAVE TO HIRE ELECTRICITY CRAN, YOU KNOW WHAT TO FIX, WE'RE PART OF THE WELCOME THE TRICKAL TRACK SO STARTING THE SOPHOMORE YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL, YOU START TO LEARN STUFF.

I THINK PRP, I THINK THE COURSES, BASIC ELECTRICAL WIRING OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT BUT, YOU KNOW, YOU LEARN FROM SOPHOMORE TO SENIOR YEAR, LEARN ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT STUFF AND IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THAT, THE THREE YEARS THAT YOU GRADUATE, YOU DECIDE THAT YOU WANT TO STICK WITH THAT, THEN, YOU CAN FALL BACK ON THAT, GOING INTO THE NEXT STEP.

>> THEY CAN GRADUATE FROM THIS PROGRAM IN FOUR YEARS AND BE DEBT FREE.

AND, WHILE THEY ARE HERE IN THIS PROGRAM, THEY ARE WORKING FULL TIME, SO, THEY ARE ALREADY, YOU KNOW, THEY ARE ALREADY GETTING PAID AND THEY ARE GETTING THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE, GETTING BENEFITS.

THIRD ALSO GROWING WITHIN THAT COMPANY.

AND A LOT OF THE STUDENTS AFTER THEY GET DONE, THEY GO ON TO BECOME FOREMEN OR PROJECT MANAGERS OR OWN THEIR OWN COMPANIES.

SO THE QUALITY OF LIVING IS GREAT.

RIGHT NOW, IT IS PROJECTED THAT ELECTRICIAN RIGHT OUT OF SCHOOL IS GOING TO MAKE ANYWHERE FROM 60,000 TO $80,000 A YEAR.

>> MOST OF THE BIGGER GUYS THAT I TALKED TO THAT HAVE BEEN IN TRADE FOR A LONG TIME, THEY MENTION NO MATTER WHERE YOU GO, WHAT TIME, HOW OLD YOU ARE, YOU'LL ALWAYS HAVE A JOB IN TRADES.

>> THERE IS A HIGH DEMAND FOR ELECTRICIANS.

WE HAVE FOLKS THAT CALL US DAILY LOOKING FOR ELECTRICITYIANS.

MEMBERS LOOKING FOR HELP.

AND, IT JUST REALLY HELPS TO KEEP UP WITH THE WORK OUT THERE TO BID ON.

>> IT IS LIKE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY.

A LOT OF MONEY IN THIS INDUSTRY, AND IT IS A L A LOT OF DEMAND T. SO, PART OF THE DEMAND AND MORE EMPLOYEES PEOPLE HAVE IS GOING TO BE A BETTER ECONOMY.

YOU'RE LOOKING AT TWO FUTURE ELECTRICIANS.

>> YES, SIR.

>> NO DOUBT, JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS OF KENTUCKIANA, AND THE T EM GROUP WHO PROVIDES FUNDING TO THE PROGRAM.

>>> IN BARDSTOWN, A PROGRAM IS ATTEMPTING TO HELP WITH THE SHORTAGE OF AVIATION PROFESSIONALS IN KENTUCKY.

THE BLUEGRASS AEROSPACE EXPERIENCE IS GIVING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE CAREERS IN AVIATION, THROUGH HANDS-ON LEARNING.

>> THERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL SHORTAGE OF PILOTS AND AVIATION MECHANICS.

OVER THE NEXT 15 TO 20 YEAR, THE NUMBER IS ROUGHLY 800,000 FOR EACH.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS EDUCATORS, AND AS A COMMUNITY TO BEST PREPARE OUR STUDENTS FOR PROFESSIONS OF THE FUTURE.

>> SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE IN KENTUCKY, IF YOU MENTION AVIATION TO THEM, THEY FOCUS ON AIRLINE PILOT.

THERE IS OVER 600 COMPANIES IN THE AVIATION INDUSTRY HERE IN THIS STATE OF KENTUCKY, AND WE'RE TRYING TO GIVE THESE YOUNG PEOPLE A TASTE OF THE AVIATION INDUSTRY SO THEY CAN DECIDE IF THEY WANT TO DO IT.

>> SEVERAL YEARS AGO, IT WAS THE IDEA TO FORM THREE SCHOOLS TO CREATE THE BLUEGRASS AEROSPACE EXPERIENCE.

SO THERE IS THREE LEVELS TO THIS PROGRAM.

THE FIRST LEVEL IS, THE INTRODUCTORY CURRICULUM THAT IS AN ALPA CURRICULUM.

WE HAVE ABOUT 80 STUDENTS THAT ARE CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN THAT PROGRAM FROM ALL THREE SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

AND THEN, AS THE STUDENTS PROGRESS THROUGH THE PROGRAM, THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE PART IN THE BUILD PROGRAM HERE WHICH IS, THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD AN AIRPLANE FROM ABOUT 8,000 PIECES, RIGHT HERE AT THE AIRPORT, AND MY JUNIOR YEAR CAME AROUND AND I APPLIED TO BE IN THE BUILD PROGRAM AND I WAS ACCEPTED AND I CAME OUT HERE, THEY TAUGHT TWO HOURS A DAY, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY AND IT GAVE ME THE BUG FOR AVIATION.

SPARKED MY PASSION THAT I HAD FOR AVIATION.

>> IN THE LAST PORTION OF THE PROGRAM IS THE FLIGHT PROGRAM.

AND, SO FOR THOSE THAT DO WANT TO GO ON AND GET THE FLIGHT HOURS TOWARD THE PRIVATE PILOT LICENSE, THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT.

>> THAT'S WHERE I HAVE TO THANK MY TRUE BEGINNING IN MY FLYING CAREER.

AFTER I FINISHED ONE THE FLIGHT PROGRAM, I FLEW THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL AND RECEIVE MID-PILOT'S LICENSE.

>> THE YOUNG PEOPLE THAT CHOOSE TO ENTER THIS PROGRAM ARE PIONEERS.

THEY ARE STEPPING WAY OUT OF THEIR COMFORT ZONE.

THEY NEVER BUILT AN AIRPLANE BEFORE, THEY NEVER HUNG OUT AT AN AIRPORT FOR TWO HOURS A DAY, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

>> THAT ABILITY TO SHAPE THEIR FUTURE THROUGH THIS PROGRAM IS GREAT.

AND, MY BEST ADVICE WOULD BE STEP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE.

DO SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE NEVER DONE BEFORE.

>> EVE SOME STUDENTS IN FRANKFORT ARE ALSO LOOKING TO THE SKIES FOR CAREER OPPORTUNITIES.

THE FRANKLIN CENTER FOR INNOVATION RECENTLY LAUNCHED THE DRONE FLIGHT SCHOOL.

IT HELPS YOUNG PEOPLE GET BASIC FLIGHT TRAINING THAT HELPS PUT THEM ON THE PATH TO BECOMING A CERTIFIED DRONE PILOT.

>> DRONE PILOTS ARE IN VERY HIGH DEMAND AND MORE AS MORE INDUSTRIES ADOPT DRONE TECHNOLOGY.

SO YES THERE IS A SHORTAGE.

ONE OF THE HURD HAMILTONS IS FINDING PILOTS THAT ARE CERTIFIED.

AND THROUGH THE FAA, ONE OF THE RULES IS IF YOU'RE DOING ANYTHING THAT MAKES MONEY WITH THE DRONE, YOU HAVE TO BE CERTIFIED.

THE FRANKLIN CENTER OR FCFI IS A NON-PROFIT FOR EDUCATION THAT FOCUSES ON COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES CENTERED AROUND CREATIVITY, EXPLORATION AND LEARNING.

WE HAVE A GROUP OF FOLKS THAT MEET IN, WE'RE CALLING DRONE CLUB.

AND THEY ARE WORKING IN A STUDY GROUP TO STUDY FOR THE PILOT'S LICENSE.

SO, THAT'S WHEN IT WILL GET REALLY EXCITING FOR ME WHEN WE HAVE SOME LICENSED PILOTS THAT ARE COME OUT OF THE PROGRAM.

THE BIGGEST THING WITH DRONES IS, PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE YOU CAN GET YOUR PILOT'S LICENSE AT 16 SO WE'RE TRYING TO WORK WITH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, AND, REALLY ANYBODY THATTEN WANTS TO TO HELP THEM TO GET CERTIFIED.

SO WE'RE FOCUSED HELPING THEM LEARN THE TERMINOLOGY AND EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO PASS THE TEST.

THE COURSE TODAY WILL BE FOURTH THROUGH EIGHTH GRADERS AND WE'RE WORKING WITH A PROGRAM FROM DRONE CALLED STEM FUNDAMENTALS SO TODAY WE'LL BE FIGHTING FIRES WHICH IS VERY NEWS WORTHY RIGHT NOW.

>> >> WE HAD TO PUT OUT FAKE FIRES.

FAKE FIRES.

SO WE HAD LIKE, THESE LITTLE FUZZY AND 3-D PRINTED CUPS THAT SNAP ON, AND THEN, YOU TAKE THE BALL AND PUT IT ON THERE.

AND THEN YOU THROW THE BALL.

>> I LEARNED THE DIFFERENT MOVEMENTS OF THE DRONE.

YAW IS TURNING AROUND THERE IS ROLL, WHICH IS FORWARD AND BACKWARD.

THROTTLE WHICH IS UP AND DOWN.

>> THESE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE FROM EVERYWHERE, WHETHER THAT BE GEOGRAPHICALLY, PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY, IT IS A BRIDGE FOR A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE.

IT IS AN INTRODUCTION TO TECHNOLOGY THAT WAS UNAVAILABLE TO THEM PREVIOUSLY, WHICH IS VERY EXCITING FOR ME.

>> IT IS A GREAT LEARNING OPPORTUNITY, AND, ESPECIALLY IF THEY HAVE A DRONE AND THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO FLY IT.

>> IT'S A WAY TO INTRODUCE THEM TO STEM, KIND OF ACCIDENTALLY.

THEY ARE NOT EVEN REALIZING THAT IT IS HAPPENING.

THE MORE WE CAN HELP THEM WITH THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MATHEMATIC, THE MORE THEY ARE ABLE TO GO INTO THE JOB MARKET, PREPARED.

>> THINGS THAT YOU DON'T THINK OF WITH DRONES LIKE REPAIR AND THE TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENTS AND A LOT OF THE OTHER THINGS.

THE TECHNOLOGY AS IT GROWS.

>> THE DRONE FLIGHT SCHOOL WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY A GRANT FROM MOREHEAD STATE UNIVERSITY STEM EXCELLENCE SCHOOL.

>> IT STARTED A AS RESPONSE TO INCREASED VIOLENCE IN LOUISVILLE, BUT HAS GROWN INTO AN AWARD-WINNING PROGRAM THAT SERVES HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN.

FUTURE HEALERS IS NOT ONLY SHOWING YOUNG PEOPLE A HEALTHIER WAY TO LIVE...

BUT IT'S ALSO SHAPING THE NEXT GENERATION OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS.

>> FUTURE AIRLINES STARTED IN 2020 DURING A TIME OF PARTICULAR CIVIL UNREST.

IT WAS A VIOLENT YEAR FOR LOUISVILLE AND STARTED WHEN SOME MEDICAL STUDENTS LOOKED AT THEIR SITUATION AND SAID WE WANT TO DO MORE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

>> THE MEDICAL STUDENT, THE DOCTOR, WE THOUGHT THAT IT WOULD BE GREAT FOR THEM TO HAVE THIS INTERACTION WITH THE FIRST RESPONDERS WHO DEAL WITH THESE KIND OF ISSUE.

>> HE WAS MONTH A TEAM OF SIX TO 12 MEDICAL STUDENTS, MEET AND KIND OF JUST GO THROUGH DIFFERENT IDEAS ON HOW WE CAN TEACH KIDS ABOUT THEIR BODY IN A FUN AND ENGAGING WAY.

SO I THINK KIND OF TAKING AN APPROACH OF, YOU KNOW, EDUCATION, WITH LIKE HANDS-ON LEARNING HAS BEEN PIVOTAL FOR THE SUCCESSION OF OUR PROGRAM.

>> WE COME ONE SATURDAY A MONTH, SO YOU DO THINGS YOU LIKE, LIKE YOU DO CPR OR YOU LEARN HOW TO STITCH PEOPLE UP.

>> I HAVE BEEN COMING HERE FOR FOUR YEARS AND I LEARNED A LOT ABOUT BEING A DOCTOR AND NURSE AND VETERINARIAN, AND LIKE IT GIVES ME A LOT, TEACHES ME A LOT.

>> I THOUGHT THAT, IT WAS LIKE JUST GOING TO LISTEN TO SOME PEOPLE TALK BUT THEN, IT WAS SO MUCH MORE LIKE, MORE EXPERIENCED AND HANDS ON THINGS.

IT WAS AMAZING.

>> I LEARNED HOW TO HELP THEM AND WHAT DOES IT DO.

>> I WANT TO BE A DOCTOR IN THE FUTURE, SOME STUFF WILL BE EASILY BECAUSE IN FUTURE HEALERS, I CAN REMEMBER WHAT I LEARNED, AND IT IS WORTH COMING HERE.

>> THEY ARE SMART AND RETAINING AND BRINGING THE SAME KNOWLEDGE AND IT IS REALLY INSPIRING TO SEE KIDS WHO MIGHT BE COMING FROM LIKE UNDERSERVED AREAS THAT WERE EXPOSED TO CERTAIN SITUATIONS AND COME HERE WITH A BIG SMILE ON THEIR FACE AND WORK WITH US.

>> MEDICAL STUDENTS HAVE EMBRACED THIS CONNECTION.

YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY URBAN KIDS TO, LET THEM KNOW, THAT I WANT TO SACRIFICE MY TIME TO BE WITH YOU WITH ALL OF MY CHALLENGES, AND PREPARING TO BECOME A PHYSICIAN WITH THAT, BUT I WANT TO SACRIFICE MY TIME,, YOU'RE YOUTH IT, THE KIDS FEEL THAT THE PARENTS FEEL AND IT THAT'S WHY WE HAVE HAD THIS GROWTH.

>> THERE ARE GREAT TRAUMA SURGEONS HERE AT U OF L AT THIS AMAZING TRAUMA CENTER THAT SHE CAN TALK TO THAT WOULD BE VERY INTIMIDATING BUTTHEY ARE VERY D. >> WE HAVE REALLY PUT A LOT OF EFFORT AND DEDICATION TO COME TO THIS PROGRAM.

IT IS WELL WORTH COMING.

>> IF IT WASN'T FOR THE PARENT, THIS WOULDN'T RUN.

THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE TO MAKING SURE THE KIDS SHOW UP AND SHOW OUT.

>> I THINK THE PARENTS LEARN A LOT.

>> >> 97% OF THE PARENTS THAT BRING THE KIDS TO THE FUTURE HEALERS MEDICAL PROGRAM, STAY AND WITNESS EVERY BIT OF IT.

THAT'S THE BIG PART OF OUR SUCCESS.

>> ONE OF THE GREATEST THINGS THAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM IS THE DIVERSITY.

I WAS ABLE TO SEE DOCTORS AND ABLE TO SEE PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE HIM AS WELL TO BE IN THIS PROGRAM TO SAY, LISTEN THERE IS NO EXCUSES.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO LET YOUR ENVIRONMENT DICTATE YOUR FUTURE.

>> I DIDN'T REALIZE HOW MUCH THESE KIDS LOOK UP TO US AS MEDICAL STUDENTS PEOPLE OF COLOR, IT MAKE AS HUGE DIFFERENCE AND IT IS MORE THAN I REALIZED.

>> SO I THINK GIVING THEM THE EXPOSURE TO HEALTHCARE AND BEING A CHEERLEADER FOR THEM IS HOPEFULLY GOING TO HELP OUT IN THE FUTURE WITH GETTING FOLKS MORE INTERESTED IN HEALTHCARE AND INSTILLING THE BELIEF EARLY IN THEM THAT'S CAN DO IT IF THEY SET THEIR MIND TO IT.

>> SHE'S LIKE, I CAN DO THIS.

THIS IS NOT SOMETHING PIE IN THE SKY THING.

I CAN DO IT, REALLY DO IT.

>> IF NONE OF THEM DECIDE TO GO INTO HEALTHCARE AT THE OPENED THE DAY, THAT'S OKAY.

IT IS THAT SENSE OF, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF HELPING THOSE AROUND YOU.

IF THAT'S WHAT IS ACCOMPLISHED, THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING.

>> IF YOU GIVE A KID A CHANCE AND THERE ARE PROFESSIONALS THAT CAN SACRIFICE THEIR TIME FOR THE GOODWILL OF CHILDREN, GREAT THINGS HAPPEN.

>> INDEED.

FUTURE HEALERS HAS EXPANDED INTO THREE JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND EVEN INTO TENNESSEE THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITHEN VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER.

>> A GROUP OF YOUNG PROFESSIONALS LOOKING TO DEVELOP BUSINESS SKILLS GET THE CHANCE TO LEARN FROM SOME OF THE BEST EVER OVER THE SUMMER THEY PARTICIPATED IN THE KENTUCKY YOUNG PROFESSIONAL SUMMIT HOSTED BY THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

THE SUMMIT GIVES YOUNG PROFESSIONALS FROM AROUND THE STATE TO OPPORTUNITY TO NETWORK AND LEARN FROM INDUSTRY EXPERTS.

>> >> THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE I WOULD SAY IS OPPORTUNITIES.

THINK THERE IS A BIG CHALLENGE THERE WITH KENTUCKY IN GENERAL.

GENERATIONS THAT ARE IN THE WORKPLACE, SO MANY DIFFERENT GENERATIONS AND JUST GIVING YOUNG PROFESSIONALS THAT OPPORTUNITY TO BE LISTENED TO.

TO BE ABLE TO INNOVATE AND CREATE BECAUSE THEY THEY CAN'T SEE WHAT OTHERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE AT THIS POINT.

>> IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO CREATE THESE OPPORTUNITIES, FOR ALL PROFESSIONALS BUT ESPECIALLY YOUNG PROFESSIONALS STARTING OFF THE CAREER TO BE ABLE TO NETWORK, MEET FROM OTHER CONNECTED COMMUNITIES AND OTHER INDUSTRIES, HEAR THEIR STORIES AND THE LIFE LESSONS THEY HAVE LEARNED SO I THINK THAT'S SPECIALLY WHEN SOMETIMES WE SEE MORE I DON'T INDIVIDUALED OR REMOTE, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE CREATE SPACE TO MAKE SURE THESE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS HAVE ACCESS TO THE IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS IN THE NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES.

>> A LOT OF WORKFORCE REALLY KNOW WORK SINCE COVID WHERE THINGS HAS BEEN MORE HYBRID OR REMOTE SO MAYBE NOT AS TRADITIONAL.

SO, DEFINITELY THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN VARIOUS GENERATIONS IN THE WORKPLACE.

YOU YOU THIS THAT WE'RE AT A REALLY INTERESTING TIME RIGHT NOW WHERE WE POTENTIALLY HAVE FOUR GENERATIONS IN A WORKPLACE KIND OF LEARNING HOW TO WORK TOGETHER AND THE DIFFERENT STYLES.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU AS THE YOUNG PROFESSIONAL NOT ONLY USE YOUR VOICE, BUT, ENCOURAGE OTHERS, YOUNG PROFESSIONALS TO USE THEIR VOICE AS WELL.

ALSO, CREATE SPACE FOR OTHERS.

GET INSIDE THE COMMUNITY AND REALLY LEARN THE COMMUNITY AND ENCOURAGE AND LEARN WHAT IS NEEDED SO THAT YOU CAN FILL IN THE GAPS WHERE NEEDED.

AND, THAT WOULD REALLY ALLOW YOUNG PROFESSIONALS TO KNOW THAT NOT ONLY ARE THEY NEEDED BUT THEY ARE VALUED AS WELL.

>> THINK THAT I YOUNG PROFESSIONALS ARE CRAVING INTERACTION NETWORKING AND THIS PROVIDES THEM THE OUTLET.

THINK THINK WE PRIDE OUR SELVES ON HAVING THER TO CONVERSATIONS WITH PEOPLE ON VARIOUS SIDES OF THE ISSUE.

TACKLE THEM AND HOPEFULLY COME OUT WITH REALLY GOOD SOLUTIONS.

>> IT TAKES THE FEAR AWAY.

GIVES YOUNG INDIVIDUALS THE FAITH TO STEP OUT.

BEING A BUSINESS OWNER, THE NOT EASY, IT IS NOT TO THE WEAK.

AND SO HAVING THESE TYPE OFFED A VANS SHOWS THAT YOUR CHARACTER, AND ALSO, SHOWS THAT, HEY THERE IS SOMEBODY THAT IS OUT HERE THAT IS ALSO DOING IT SO IT IS GIVING PEOPLE HOPE THEY CAN DO THE SAME THING.

>> KENTUCKY'S YOUNG PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR WAS ALSO NAMED AT THIS YEAR'S SUMMIT.

THE SUMMIT GIVES YOUNG PROFESSIONALS FROM AROUND THE STATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO NETWORK AND LEARN FROM INDUSTRY EXPERTS.

THE CHAMBER SAYS PENDING TON WAS SELECTED TO RETURN HOME TO LEAD TOURISM EFFORTS TAKING IT FROM A COAL-BASED ECONOMY TO DESTI NATION FOR ADVENTURE TOURISM.

IN HIS 14 OVERS WITH THE HARLAN TOURIST AND CONVENTION COMMISSION, THEY SAY THAT HE DOUBLED THE LOCAL TOURISM BUDGET, AND LAUNCHED MORE THAN 30 ANNUAL EVENTS THAT GENERATE TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR THE ECONOMY.

HE SAYS HE WAS SURPRISED TO RECEIVE THE AWARD AND HOPES THAT IT INSPIRES OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE TO FIND OUT IN THEIR COMMUNITY, NO MATTER THE SIZE.

>> >> BEING FROM APPALACHIA AND THE SMALL TOWN IN KENTUCKY, YOU FIND A WHOLE HOST OF -- IT IS AN IMPORTANT THING FOR US TO DO IN OUR COMMUNITY AND BE GIVEN THE PLATFORM WHERE YOU BECOME THE YOUNG PROFESSIONAL OF THE ENTIRE STATE.

I HOPE IT GIVES INSPIRATION TO OTHER PEOPLE TO FOLLOW THEIR DREAMS AND PURSUE ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND WORK WITH COMMUNITIES AND WITHIN THE STATE TO MAKE THE STATE A BETTER PLACE.

AND I THINK THAT, THE WORK THAT I HAVE DONE, THAT IS BEING RECOGNIZED TODAY HAS TRULY SPEAKING TO THE PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE IN KENTUCKY IN THE SMALL TOWN, WHETHER IT IS HARLAN OR WHETHER IT IS ACROSS THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STATE.

BUT, IT IS JUST I HOPE IT GIVES OTHER INSPIRATION TO DO GOOD WORK WITH KENTUCKY AND BE THE BEST AND BE THE BEST THAT KENTUCKY CAN OFFER.

TELL MYSELF EVERY SINGLE DAY WHEN I'M TRYING SOMETHING NEW OR WHETHER I'M TRYING TO AN EVENT OR COMMUNITY OR DO SOMETHING WITHIN THE STATES, I ALWAYS TELL MYSELF, IT STARTS BY TRYING, AND, JUST TO TAKE A SECOND AND TO TRY AND TO KEEP PURSUING YOUR DREAMS TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD.

WHETHER YOU'RE A YOUNG PROFESSIONAL WHO IS IN APPALACHIA OR BEING TOLD THAT YOU CAN'T DO SOMETHING, KEEP TRYING AND EVENTUALLY YOU WILL.

>> GOOD SOLID ADVICE THERE.

PENNINGTON WAS ONE OF SIX YOUNG PROFESSIONALS NOMINATED FOR THE AWARD.

HE WAS THE ONLY FINALIST FROM EASTERN KENTUCKY.

AGAIN, CONGRATS TO HIM.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING YOU THIS LABOR DAY.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU RIGHT BACK HERE AGAIN TOMORROW AT 6:30 EASTERN, 5:30 CENTRAL FOR KENTUCKY EDITION WHERE WE INFORM, CONNECTINSPIRE.

AND WE HOPE YOU CHECK US OUT ON THE SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS A FEW LIST OPENED THE SCREEN THERE, TO SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING ON PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAMMING AND THROUGHOUT KET.

LOOK FOR US ON THOSE CHANNELS AND WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL SEND US A STORY IDEA BY EMAIL TO PUBLIC AFFAIRS@KET.ORG.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR WATCHING.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US AND I'LL SEE YOU AGAIN HERE TOMORROW NIGHT.

TAKE GOOD CARE.