EKCEP, Inc. Information

Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program, Inc. (EKCEP) is a nonprofit, federally funded workforce development organization headquartered in Hazard, Kentucky. EKCEP serves a population of nearly one-half million in 23 Appalachian counties with a mission of preparing, advancing, and expanding the workforce of Eastern Kentucky. EKCEP was formed in 1968 to meet the job training needs of Eastern Kentuckians in counties of high unemployment and acute poverty. EKCEP operates today under the auspices of the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA). EKCEP’s current service model highlights its expert career advisors throughout the region in such a way as to create new avenues to access the workforce system and help people better navigate hurdles necessary to get a job, a better job, or launch a targeted career. This is accomplished through Job Clubs of Eastern Kentucky, a regional initiative that features support groups for unemployed and underemployed citizens. EKCEP's Teleworks USA initiative diversifies employment opportunities by helping the citizens enter the global work-from-home job market. The service connects job seekers with information and job listings for work-from-home job opportunities, and also employs career advising tactics to prepare them to apply for and compete for those jobs. EKCEP's Employer Services help the region's businesses screen potential employees and streamline numerous human resources processes so employers can focus on the business of doing business.