KENTUCKY JUNIOR COAL ACADEMY BACKGROUND

The Kentucky Coal industry is a vital part of Eastern Kentucky's economy. In 2002, out of 32 Kentucky coal-producing counties, 23 were located in Eastern Kentucky. In fact, over 85% of Kentucky's coal mining workforce and approximately 80% of the state's total coal production occur in Eastern Kentucky. However, as our coal industry has matured, its workforce has begun to age, and it is expected that half of Kentucky's coal miners will reach retirement age in the next five to seven years. The Kentucky Coal Academy, with the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, was established to combat this looming problem. The Kentucky Junior Coal Academy serves under this larger Academy to train the mining workforce of the future and serve as a preparatory program to the Kentucky Coal Academy.

The initial Kentucky Junior Coal Academy program premiered at the Lawrence County Schools in Louisa, Kentucky in the fall semester of 2006. With the opening of classes in the fall of 2007, twelve new Academies opened within the Kentucky Tech Area Technology System, primarily in the eastern coal region. This exciting partnership with KY TECH will broaden the training and employment opportunities for many high school students.

Students enrolling into the Academy will experience a rigorous and challenging curriculum. The Academy's curriculum is a combination of both academic and career-technical course offerings, which will provide students with both the academic knowledge and the technical skills needed for work in the coal industry. The curriculum for the Kentucky Junior Coal Academy includes seven major components:

• High-level academic courses,
• Advanced technical courses,
• Computer based training modules in mining,
• Simulator mining equipment training,
• Pre-engineering component (for students pursuing Mining Engineering),
• Agriculture major component (for students pursuing a Wildlife/Forestry tract), and
• Work-based learning program.

KENTUCKY JUNIOR COAL ACADEMY MISSION

• To extend coal education at the secondary level
• To provide career paths for secondary students including:

1. Employment in the industry immediately following high school graduation.
2. Pursuit of a two-year degree as a pre-engineering technician or an Associate's degree in Mining through KCTCS.
3. Pre-engineering (toward a 4-year degree in Mining Engineering) or Agriculture (4-year degree).

KENTUCKY JUNIOR COAL ACADEMIES