New partnership expands access to high-demand healthcare credential for Barren County students

Glasgow, KY — Barren County Schools is proud to announce a new collaborative partnership with TJ Regional Health and Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKYCTC) that will expand access to high-demand healthcare training for local students.

Through this initiative, ten Barren County High School students will complete Nurse Aide (CNA) training from January through March 2026. The training, delivered by SKYCTC nursing faculty as a dual-credit course, will take place after school hours to better accommodate student schedules.

This partnership opens the door for juniors and seniors enrolled in the WKU-Glasgow Early College program or the Biomedical Science pathway to earn a state-recognized professional certification. By gaining this entry-level healthcare credential, students are able to further strengthen their preparation for future careers in the medical field.

"Partnerships like this are where really meaningful opportunities begin for our students. When our schools, local healthcare providers, and higher education partners like SKYCTC and WKU come together, we’re able to open doors that help students see what’s possible and start building a future right here in our community. We’re incredibly grateful to TJ Regional Health, SKYCTC, and WKU for investing in our students and believing in what they can become," commented Superintendent Amy Irwin.

TJ Regional Health will play a pivotal role through full program sponsorship and offering potential employment for students who successfully complete their training. This investment reflects the organization’s long-standing commitment to supporting the Barren County community and developing the region’s future healthcare workforce. The need for such opportunities continues to grow, as the Kentucky Workforce Innovation Board (KWIB) recently named “Healthcare” among the Commonwealth’s Top Five In-Demand Sectors.

Reflecting on the value of this partnership, Justin Browning of Barren County Schools shared: “With Kentucky recognizing our ‘Workforce Participation Rate,’ as a clear growth opportunity, it is important that we engage young adults in areas that match their professional interests and strengths as early as is appropriate for them. This partnership—and others like it—along with the robust work-based learning model we’ve developed here in Barren County, helps ensure we do just that. We are incredibly thankful for our relationship with SKYCTC, TJ Regional Health, and WKU-Glasgow and for the opportunities they provide our students.” 

Barren County senior Mary Claire Warren said this concerning the training: “I hope to begin working after completing the program so that I can start gaining experience that I will ultimately carry into college. This training and certification will allow me to work in multiple medical settings and will help prepare me for my future career in medicine.” 

The ten Barren County High School students selected for this inaugural program are: Haylin Adams, Rebecca Boone, Baylor Browning, Neela Furlong, Haley Mutter, Halle Nesbitt, Briley Tangen, Taylor Uhles, Sephora Velcine, and Mary Claire Warren.

“This expansion and investment certainly exemplifies how our Barren County stakeholders invest in the future workforce in ways that directly impact our community- now and in the future,” remarked Assistant Superintendent Scott Harper. “We are excited for this opportunity and how it will expand options and opportunities for our students.”