Winston Tyler Hogan Makes Leap to New Career in Transportation with Help from Middle KY JobSight

When Lee Countian Winston Tyler Hogan was laid off for the winter from his job as head equipment operator in late 2023, it wasn’t all bad news; his employer made it clear that if he obtained a commercial driver’s license (CDL), he would not only have a new position available to him but also at a higher salary.

Winston Tyler Hogan

Hogan knew what he needed to do. He had already obtained a learner’s permit but didn’t have the funds to cover training costs for a full CDL. That’s where a visit with the Kentucky Career Center JobSight at Middle Kentucky Community Action paid dividends for his career. At the career center, he discovered a network of support that would provide an opportunity for him to leap to a new career in the transportation industry.

“I heard about the career center from a family friend,” Hogan recalled, reflecting on the moment that set his career transition in motion. “When I went in, the lady helping me, Crystal Turner, taught me all about the services.”

A partner in the Kentucky Career Center JobSight network, Middle Kentucky provides Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) services in Breathitt, Lee, Owsley, and Wolfe counties under contract with Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program (EKCEP). Those services include programs for unemployed people, dislocated workers, and young adults who need assistance honing skills such as résumé building or networking with local employers or who may need help covering training costs. 

Upon connecting with his career advisor, Hogan learned that support from Middle KY not only provided guidance but also alleviated financial barriers to accessing training and resources. Because of his layoff, Hogan was eligible for services as a dislocated worker, which meant the career center could cover the cost of training for his CDL.

“I went in wanting to obtain my CDL because, with that, you never have to worry about getting a job; there are plenty of truck driving jobs!” Hogan explained, highlighting his motivation for enrolling in the center’s programs.

“My career advisor helped pay for my training, gave me gas cards, and even reimbursed me for my physical,” he added.

Fast-forward to May 2024, and Hogan has not only obtained his CDL but is currently working in his field of choice, thanks to the assistance he received at Middle KY. He noted that the career center services were a big help in making sure he could return to work as quickly as he did.

“It was a lot easier to go back to work” because of the services he received at the career center, he said. He also emphasized the ease with which he navigated the process, crediting his advisor’s accessibility and approachability.

“It was super easy to access services and work with my career advisor to develop a career plan,” he noted. “We talked on the phone just about every day if I needed anything or whatever. She was really nice!”

As he looks toward the future, Hogan recommends the services available at the Middle Kentucky Career Center to anyone seeking to embark on a new career path or enhance their skills.

“I would recommend the services available to anyone looking for a new job or career to reach out to their local Kentucky Career Center,” Hogan affirmed. “Anytime you can get more training, you are just bettering yourself.”

If you’re interested in applying for career and employment services, visit jobsight.org/locations to find your nearest Kentucky Career Center JobSight and contact a career advisor to get started. 

EKCEP, a nonprofit workforce development agency headquartered in Hazard, Ky., serves the citizens of 23 Appalachian coalfield counties. The agency provides an array of workforce development services and operates the Kentucky Career Center JobSight network of workforce centers, which provide access to more than a dozen state and federal programs that offer employment and training assistance for jobseekers and employers all under one roof. Learn more about us at http://www.ekcep.org, http://www.jobsight.org and http://www.facebook.com/ekcep.