A new program at Fort Knox, Ky., aims to assist soldiers transitioning out of military service by training them for good-paying jobs if they are willing to stay in the state permanently, WDRB.com reported Thursday.
The program, a partnership between Fort Knox and Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC) will allow soldiers in the last six months of service to attend courses as their full-time job where they can earn certifications in advanced manufacturing fields.
The 16-week program will focus on high-demand fields such as computer-aided drafting and design, electrical technology and engineering, according to the report. The first class, a test group of about 20 current Fort Knox soldiers, starts in October.
“If you have made a pact to take care of your nation, likewise we want to take care of you as you transition,” said Col. Pat Kaune, a Fort Knox Garrison Commander.
Dr. Juston Pate, president of ECTC said he’s also inspired by the new program that will assist military members as they transition out of the service and train for good jobs in Kentucky.
“This is one of the most powerful things I’ve worked on in my career,” Pate said. “You think about the impact — not just for the region — but this is a fantastic opportunity for the soldiers.”
The college says it has companies in Kentucky waiting to hire trained soldiers with starting pay varying between $50,000 and $80,000 a year, according to the report.
“This is an opportunity for us to increase our workforce, but not just our workforce: a highly skilled, highly motivated, highly dependable workforce,” Pate said.
“We’re also going to put it out to the entire U.S. Army,” Kaune said. “So a soldier could come from Fort Knox; they could come from Fort Drum, New York; they could come through Fort Lewis. We’re going to sell it. We’re going to get people to come.”
Photo by G. Anthonie Riis