LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Bluegrass Community and Technical College Foundation has received a $50,000 grant from Bank of America to eliminate financial barriers for low-income and unemployed Kentuckians pursuing careers in high-demand fields, according to reporting from The Lane Report.

The funding will cover tuition, fees, books, supplies and required materials for eligible students, allowing them to complete training programs without incurring debt. Students will be referred through community partners including Goodwill Industries of Kentucky, the Hope Center of Lexington, and Jubilee Jobs of Lexington. The initiative targets unemployed, homeless, justice-involved, low-income and other underserved individuals.

Supported programs include construction carpentry, with median annual wages of $50,860 in Central Kentucky and an 83 percent immediate job placement rate; computer user support specialist training, averaging $51,686 annually with 82 percent placement; commercial truck driving, offering median wages of $55,590; and telecommunications line installation and repair at $60,180 with a 92 percent placement rate. Additional short-term credential programs include welder helper, nurse aide, phlebotomy technician and wastewater processing attendant certifications.

"Bank of America's investment will transform lives across Central Kentucky by supporting individuals who need these opportunities the most but can afford them the least," said BCTC Foundation Executive Director Dr. Erin Tipton.

BCTC, a public community college serving 11 Central Kentucky counties through multiple campuses, is one of sixteen colleges in the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. Bank of America's commitment aligns with broader workforce development efforts; the company invested nearly $40 million in 2025 in workforce development nationwide through partnerships with more than 100 universities and community colleges.

"Our investments and hands-on involvement in workforce development support both our region's employers who need skilled workers and the next generation of talent," said John Gardner, President, Bank of America Kentucky. "By building career pathways with BCTC and local nonprofits, we can help drive financial prosperity and economic growth for Lexington and the nation."