Fleming County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Crystal Ruark said the designation was the recommendation of the Kentucky Work Ready committee earlier this month.
"When we submitted our application in October, we were missing one element," Ruark said. "We had not implemented the Golden Seal at the high school. We have since then implemented that program."
The golden seal allows for students to complete a list of criteria in order to receive a seal on their diploma and a cord at graduation showing the student is work ready at the time of graduation.
"We had one of the highest turnovers," Ruark said. "Most counties will go back and take about six months to implement items they were missing. It took us a month. After the committee meeting, we went to the next school board meeting and worked with them to implement the seal program."
A Kentucky Work Ready community designation allows for incoming businesses to see that the community has a talented workforce with skills necessary to staff jobs, according to Ruark.
Ruark said in order to become Work Ready, communities must gather support and meet criteria in six areas including high school graduation rates, national career and readiness certificate holders, demonstrated community commitment, educational attainment, soft-skills development and digital literacy.
"I can't express how much I appreciate the community support we have had for this endeavor," Ruark said. "A lot of people came together to make this happen and we're really excited about it."
Ruark said the county does not currently have Work Ready signs, but expects them next month.
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