For years, coal mining has been a way of life in Eastern Kentucky.

Now, massive layoffs and coal mine closures have left thousands of miners out of work and looking for a job.

The Center for Rural Development has been awarded a federal grant to provide FREE training and re-employment services to displaced coal miners and former coal employees who have been adversely impacted by the decline in the coal industry in 13 Kentucky counties.

The goal of the Displaced Coal Miner Training (DCMT) initiative is to provide an all-inclusive training package that will lead miners to find gainful employment in other sectors of the economy.

Some of the areas of training include welding, plumbing, computer aided drafting and design, heavy equipment, automotive technology, collision repair, lineman training, CDL program, and a career in the healthcare industry as an emergency medical technician (EMT).

For more information on the DCMT program and a complete list of available training courses, visit www.dcmt.centertech.com.centertech.com or contact Robyn Phillips at 606-677-6000.

The DCMT service area includes Bell, Clay, Laurel, Rockcastle, Jackson, Owsley, Pulaski, Leslie, Perry, Whitley, Knox, Harlan, and Leslie counties.

A “displaced coal miner” is defined as someone who has experienced a layoff and who has had continuous employment of at least one year in the coal mine industry within the last five years.