Eastern KY to get more ‘tech savvy’ with community-focused grant
Eastern Kentucky is still trying to recover from the decline of coal production and a regional nonprofit will soon kick off a digital training initiative for older adults in counties in need of extra job skills.
The nonprofit Shaping Our Appalachian Region was awarded a Community Challenge grant from AARP to help get this program off the ground. Participants will receive free training on artificial intelligence-related tools, Microsoft Office and internet safety.
Colby Hall, executive director of the group, said the classes send a message: Just because a key industry is no longer a force, it does not mean people living here do not have a future in these parts.
“We have a lot of really awesome, hardworking, passionate, caring people that don’t want to have to leave to find opportunity,” Hall explained.
Whether it is volunteering or seeking a new job later in life, Hall argued communities cannot let older adults fall behind because they have not used much digital technology. He stressed they bring years of knowledge and life experience to a project or business. Beyond remote work opportunities, labor analysts said health care and aerospace are among the in-demand sectors in the region.
As they put the final touches on the program, Hall added they want to ensure people living on a fixed income still have access to devices and other technology after the training.
“We also are going to be able to leverage our office to be able to have rental equipment,” Hall pointed out. “They can use computers and have access to internet in the office.”
Shaping Our Appalachian Region is based in Pikeville but the training will be offered out of its Whitesburg location. Hall noted they hope to start training the first group later this summer.
AARP Kentucky said this year, a total of eight organizations across the state will share $84,000 in Community Challenge grants.
get more stories like this via email
Public News Service is an independent, member-supported news organization providing "news in the public interest" through a network of independent state newswires. Our journalists report on a broad spectrum of public interest topics with the goal of promoting an informed citizenry to support vibrant, equitable, and participatory communities – ultimately leading to a healthier democracy.
