BSCTC Recognizes Coal Miners Appreciation Week

Dr. George D. Edwards, president of Big Sandy Community and Technical College, joins the Commonwealth in this recognition of the coal miner. He said, The Kentucky Coal Academy is comprised of five of KCTCS community and technical colleges. Our college offers state-of-the art coal simulators to help train our students at two of our campuses, the Hager Hill campus and the Pikeville campus.

The legislation, which Beshear signed earlier this year, asks the governor to issue a proclamation and asks coal mining businesses and all citizens of Kentucky to observe the week.

The proclamation, signed by Governor Beshear, recognizes the more than 18,000 underground and surface miners who work to bring needed energy resources to Kentuckians and to the millions of others across the nation.

The Kentucky Coal Academy has been a great success in the training program to meet the workforce needs of the coal industry. We are indebted to the miners who have worked many long hours in the mining industry, Edwards said. It seems only fitting that the Kentucky Coal Academys mission is to educate and train the coal workforce of the future, to create and sustain jobs in the coal industry, and to provide career pathways for miners from high schools and area technology centers which will include certificates, associate degrees and baccalaureate degrees.

Edwards noted, We are proud to be a leader in the safe training of coal miners. The affiliations we have with many coal companies and businesses, is a lifelong learning experience. I am proud of the Kentucky Coal Academy as a premiere training program for our students.