08/29/2026
OP-ED | How TEK Center Is Tackling Eastern Kentucky’s Trades Shortage
By Ariel Fugate, Communications Manager, Mountain Association
Four years after the devastating Eastern Kentucky floods of 2022, communities across the region are still rebuilding. While significant progress has been made, the disaster further exposed challenges that existed long before floodwaters rose, including a shortage of affordable housing and the need for a skilled trades workforce. In Magoffin County, TEK Center is working to meet that need by training the next generation who will help build Eastern Kentucky’s future.
For founder Angie Reynolds, the idea came from years spent working in human resources, where she repeatedly encountered the same problem: there simply were not enough skilled tradespeople to meet demand.
“Everywhere I looked, employers were desperate for qualified workers,” Reynolds said. “At the same time, there were people in our communities who wanted a better future but didn’t have access to training that fit their lives.”
*Establishing the Center
Following years of networking, grant writing, and planning, Reynolds officially established TEK Center in 2021 with a mission to prepare Eastern Kentuckians for good-paying careers in less than a year.
Today, TEK offers accelerated training programs in electrical work, heavy equipment, welding, and industrial mechanics, with more pathways in the works in masonry, carpentry, plumbing, and industrial machinery maintenance. Unlike traditional college programs, students attend classes just two days a week and graduate in about 10 months with nationally recognized certifications.
“Our goal isn’t to keep students in a classroom for years. It’s to help them master the skills employers need and get them into careers as quickly as possible.”
What makes TEK unique is that the programs are employer-driven. Tradespeople help design the curriculum and serve as instructors. Many graduates move directly into positions earning approximately $77,000 annually, or union jobs making over $50 an hour, creating opportunities that can be life-changing for individuals and families across the region. Before students even graduate, TEK brings employers to campus for job fairs and recruitment events.
TEK is developing an intermediary apprenticeship program that connects students directly with employers. Businesses can bring students on three days a week while TEK assists with apprenticeship paperwork and administrative requirements. Some employers are even exploring agreements to cover a student’s tuition in exchange for a commitment to remain with the company for a period after graduation.
*Supporting the Larger Picture of a New Economy
Without a strong pipeline of skilled workers, housing and other development projects become more expensive, timelines grow longer, and communities have fewer options.
“When people talk about affordable housing and economic development projects, they’re often talking about materials or financing. But you also need the workforce. You need the electricians, the plumbers, the carpenters and masons who can actually build those homes and buildings,” Robin Gabbard, President of Mountain Association, a community economic development nonprofit serving Eastern Kentucky, said. “We have to grow that workforce if we’re going to solve these larger community challenges.”
As Reynolds was developing the idea for the TEK Center, Mountain Association provided critical support through our Business Support program, helping TEK strengthen its foundation to apply for grants, as well as build its website and strengthen its public presence. Through Mountain Association, TEK also gained access to capacity-building resources, networking opportunities, and guidance that supported its growth. Today, the partnership continues to evolve, with additional marketing and development projects underway.
*Constructing A New State-of-the Art Facility
In order for TEK to build out more pathways, it needs more than its existing 5,000 square foot facility. With the support of a $3+ million Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program grant, they will soon break ground on a 30,000-square-foot training center in Magoffin County.
“The trades aren’t slowing down,” Reynolds said. “I believe it could take 30 years or more to catch up with the demand, and with the new center, we are prepared to tackle this challenge.”
TEK is also working to remove barriers that prevent students from enrolling. Childcare, transportation, and financial constraints often stand between students and opportunity. Tuition is approximately $10,000, but partnerships with organizations such as East Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program (EKCEP) can cover up to $7,000 of that cost. Additional workforce programs can assist with expenses such as gas cards, steel-toe boots, and other necessities.
As Eastern Kentucky works to address workforce participation, economic development, and affordable housing shortages, TEK Center’s mission offers a reminder that solutions often begin with people, skills, and opportunity. By training the next generation of trades professionals, the organization is helping lay the foundation for the region’s future, one student at a time.
Disclaimer: This guest op-ed was submitted by Ariel Fugate, Communications Manager for Mountain Association. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Appalachia Insider.
