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At the Winchester campus of Bluegrass Community & Technical College, preparing students for the next level is always a top priority.

Not only is this evident in the classroom, but it also became clear outside the school.

Along the outdoor lawn of the campus at Rolling Hills Lane, beginning last Tuesday morning, a job fair welcomed numerous businesses and organizations to provide inputs to students and others wanting to know more about local careers in and near Clark County.

“We’re so happy to have all of our companies represent Winchester,” said Bruce Manley, the Campus Director at the Bluegrass Community-Technical College Winchester location. “I’ve got thirty-five businesses and organizations here, which makes it one of the biggest job fairs that we’ve had in recent years.”

Job fairs at BCTC are not necessarily new, as the event has occurred several times during the last decade.

However, with COVID and its after-effects having slowed its growth in recent years, last Tuesday’s turnout was a sign of encouragement.

Sponsored by Clark Regional Medical Center, Precision Mechanical, Inc., Catalent Pharmacy, and many others, the event showcased businesses across many sectors.

Among them were Sterling Health, Staffmark, Sonoco Products Company, Univance Inc, Danimer Scientific, Aaron’s Furniture Store, East Kentucky Power Cooperative, Pearl Interactive Network, KPI Therapy, New Vista, Independent Electrical Contractors and more.

Bodycote, a metal heat treating located on Enterprise Drive, has international locations in 22 countries.

Keller Williams Commonwealth, a real estate company, provides a scholarship program and a pathway to licensure.

Lifetime Potentials, Inc supports community living for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

“Whether it be helping them if they need help with doing their laundry, or maybe being transported to Walmart or helping them balance their checkbook. Whatever the case may be, we basically assist individuals that just need a little bit [of] extra assistance in order to function independently,” said Executive Director and Part-Owner Matthew Vanover, adding that the company was interested in hiring direct support providers.

Rocky Mountain ATV/MC, a motorcycle parts store located on Rolling Hills Lane, was present for those with sporting interests.

“We do have a showroom, so people do come from all over to buy parts in person,” said Taylor Ritchie, the company’s Human Resources Coordinator. “I feel like we’re really family-oriented, and we all work really well as a team. I grew up here, so I just feel like I love everything about [Winchester].”

Visitors could take advantage of food trucks from Kyle’s Kitchen and Travelin Tom’s Coffee to benefit those looking to learn more.

“We spread the word a lot and just really try to make it valuable for our businesses,” Manley added. “[Sponsors] invest the money to make sure that we’re able to provide food and t-shirts, the drinks, the water, and all the other materials that go on to put the job fair on.”

With so many committed to the job fair and showing up despite some cloudy skies and breezy weather, Manley, accompanied by Winchester-Clark County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cindy Banks and Winchester-Clark County Industrial Development Authority Executive Director Brad Sowden, added that the environment speaks positively of Winchester.

“I think it just goes to show how caring this community is [and] how important our community is that we have industries that want to invest,” he said.