Business briefs, Dec. 13

Published 9:58 am Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Metz received Employee of the Month Award

BURGIN – Tim Metz of Harrodsburg was selected as “Employee of the Month” for November 2017 at Northpoint Training Center. 

Metz began his employment at Northpoint Training Center in March 2013 as a Human Resource Specialist II. He promoted to Classification and Treatment Officer in May 2016. Metz was selected as “Employee of the Month” based on his outstanding job performance. He received a letter of commendation and was assigned a reserved parking space for the month.

Email newsletter signup

RJ Corman Railroad Group in Nicholasville creates new apprenticeship program

KY LABOR CABINET

News release

FRANKFORT – Labor Secretary Derrick Ramsey joined officials from RJ Corman Railroad Group in Nicholasville last week to announce the creation of a new apprenticeship program.

This four-year Registered Apprenticeship focuses on developing skills as an electrician. Apprentices will receive 2,000 on-the-job and 144 classroom training hours per year and will earn a nationally recognized journeyman certificate upon completion of the program.

“In Kentucky today, employers are facing a shortage of a skilled workforce,” said Labor Secretary Derrick Ramsey. “Registered Apprenticeships are the answer to this problem and businesses like RJ Corman are reinforcing their commitment to develop and retain more highly-skilled talent through these programs. I applaud RJ Corman for taking steps to bring more opportunity to their region and I look forward to the success this apprenticeship will bring to Nicholasville.”

Since 1973, RJ Corman Railroad Group has served all seven North American major railroads, many regional and shortline railroads and dozens of industries utilizing rail. Services include owning and operating eleven shortlines, providing emergency rail services associated with derailments and natural disasters, switching, track construction, track material distribution, signal design/construction, building switching locomotives and operating a dinner train. RJ Corman employs over 300 people at its headquarters in Nicholasville.  

“As a family owned, Kentucky-based business, we are pleased to work with the Labor Cabinet to continue to create opportunities for the citizens of the Commonwealth,” said Ed Quinn, President and CEO, RJ Corman Railroad Group. “We believe that by investing in people, we can contribute to the workforce development of our state.”

The ‘Kentucky Trained. Kentucky Built.’ initiative signals Kentucky’s recommitment of new energy and resources toward strengthening apprenticeships across Kentucky. Since November of last year, 1,000 new apprentices statewide have been registered, bringing the total number of registered apprentices to 3,157 in 206 programs throughout Kentucky.

State Sen. Tom Buford (Nicholasville) also offered praise.

“I would like to thank RJ Corman Railroad Group for beginning this new, innovative apprenticeship program that will certainly benefit our community and the company alike,” said Sen. Buford. “I look forward to seeing this hands-on program and its participants in action, and I wish the company the best in this new endeavor.”

For more information on Registered Apprenticeships, visit www.KentuckyApprenticeship.com

Follow the Kentucky Labor Cabinet on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates.