Kentucky DOC Vocational Training Programs

The Kentucky Department of Corrections provides technical and mechanical courses for inmates to receive NOTCI Certifications. These courses not only exceed the benchmark for course completion but also ensure certification for the participants.

One of the programs offered is Automotive Technology, which consists of a 90-day vocational training program at the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex (EKCC) and the Luther Luckett Correctional Complex (LLCC). Inmates receive hands-on instruction in crucial areas such as engine repair, transmissions, brakes, suspension, electrical systems, heating and air conditioning, and customer service. However, to be eligible for Educational Good Time (EGT), participants must not be within 15 months of their parole or serve-out eligibility.

Another program is Collision Repair, a comprehensive vocational training initiative at LLCC. In this program, inmates learn essential skills related to safety, business fundamentals, welding techniques (including MIG/GMAW and spot welding), as well as structural and non-structural repairs and mechanical and electrical systems. Participants in this program, similar to the Automotive Technology course, also need to ensure they are not within 15 months of parole or serve-out eligibility.

The Small Engine Technology program, also a 90-day vocational offering at EKCC and the Little Sandy Correctional Complex (LSCC), instructs inmates in safety, shop practices, engine maintenance, lubrication and fuel systems, ignition, starting and charging systems, engine assembly, and troubleshooting. Eligibility criteria are consistent with the previous programs, requiring participants to be outside the 15-month window from parole or serve-out eligibility.

The HVAC program also spans 90 days, introducing participants to the fundamentals of HVAC systems. The full program covers approximately 10 months and includes NCCER-certified content. Prerequisites for this program include having a GED or high school diploma, as well as meeting the TABE 11/12 test score requirements: a Math score of at least 496 and a Reading score of at least 501. As an incentive for successful completion, graduates may shorten their sentence by 90 days.

The Automotive Repair program focuses on equipping inmates with skills required for automobile mechanical services, aiming to reduce recidivism through practical vocational training. Additionally, the cosmetology program is offered at the Kentucky Department of Correctional Institution for Women (KCIW). It provides female inmates with skills relevant for stable employment upon their release, emphasizing building trust and self-esteem. This program teaches approximately 20 students at a time, providing 1835 hours of training in hair, nails, and other beauty aesthetics over 15 to 18 months, and a diploma or GED is a prerequisite for participation in this program.