Greenup County, Kentucky, Area Technology Center student Cameron Whitt accomplished something no student at the school had done before: becoming fully certified in three different career pathways before graduation, Kentucky Teacher (a publication of the Kentucky Department of Education) reported in June.
Cameron completed full certification stacks in welding, automotive technology, and industrial electricity, earning industry credentials that school leaders say have already opened doors to employment opportunities.
He completed all automotive and electrical coursework at the Greenup County ATC and added welding after realizing he had room in his schedule during his senior year at Greenup County High School.
“I’ve always liked the traditional hands-on pathways and most of the trades themselves,” Cameron said in the article. “I always knew I wanted to be an electrician.
“I had an open class period, and I didn’t want an extra (typical) school class,” he added. “I asked if I could get in there because it was another trade.”
All told, the publication reported that Cameron earned Kentucky Department of Transportation welding certifications, including unlimited 3G and 4G tests, as well as all nine Automotive Service Excellence certifications in automotive maintenance and repair. He also earned Occupational Safety and Health Administration 10 certification, National Center for Construction Education and Research electrical certifications, and an Electrical Alliance interim credential through an online pre-apprenticeship curriculum with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Union 575.
Greenup County ATC principal Stacey Thompson said Cameron took more than 60 tests to achieve his goal and is the first student in school history to earn this many certifications.
“We’ve had students certify in three programs before, but not fully certified,” she said. “He completed the full stack in every area. He is career-ready in all three.”
Stacey said students like Cameron represent the impact career and technical education can have when students commit themselves early.
“When he got in here as a sophomore, from day one, he made it important,” she said. “He began to invest in himself and his future.”
That investment has already paid off, noted Kentucky Teacher.
Stacey said unions and industry partners regularly contact the school looking for skilled workers, and Cameron’s hard work earned him a paid work-based learning internship.
“When IBEW called and said, ‘We need somebody,’ Cameron was the first in line because he had so many certifications,” she said.
Of course, all this is due to Cameron’s own hard work and determination, along with the opportunities offered at the ATC and the encouragement of ATC staff and teachers. Thanks to supporters of the Americans Helping Americans® Want2Work (W2W) program, he was also prepared to enter the career path of his choice fully equipped.
Through the $10,000 W2W grant awarded to the Greenup County ATC for the 2025-2026 school year, upon completing certifications in all three pathways, Cameron earned equipment packages for welding, electrical, and automotive technology, including a professional welding helmet, a Klein electrical tool kit and belt, and a GearWrench automotive tool set and toolbox.
Cameron has since become a role model, encouraging younger students to explore opportunities available through career and technical education, even if they are unsure what career they want to pursue, Kentucky Teacher reported.
“If you like hands-on learning, try anything and everything,” he was quoted as saying in the publication.
“I didn’t think I’d be much of a welder, and then I joined the class and realized I really liked it.”
For Stacey, stories like Cameron’s demonstrate why area technology centers are so important for students and communities across Kentucky.
She said ATCs give students access to industry professionals, hands-on experiences, and career opportunities that can change the trajectory of their lives before they ever graduate high school.
“There is no greater goal we have than to get our kids life-ready,” said Stacey.
“For some of these students, it’s generational change happening right now.
“That happens because of what CTE (Career and Technical Education) does for our students and the opportunities that happen in our ATC.”
