By Macee Swafford
The Times-Tribune, Corbin, Ky.
WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. — Although circumstances may have led them there, inmates at the Whitley County Detention Center are now being offered an opportunity for a fresh start.
Whitley County Jailer Jason Wilson and staff at the Whitley County Detention Center recently partnered with the Reentry and Employment Branch of the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet, along with the Kentucky Office of Adult Education, to bring a unique job-training opportunity to the detention center through the Forklift University program — offering participants a chance to gain workforce skills and certification at no cost to the county.
The program consisted of a 40-hour course completed over five days, during which 12 selected inmates successfully earned forklift operator certification.
Training followed OSHA 29 CFR 1910.178(l) safety standards and included detailed instruction on pre-shift inspections, load stability, equipment operation and refueling procedures. Participants first learned the fundamentals through classroom instruction before applying those skills through practical evaluations, including a virtual reality forklift simulator and hands-on exercises designed to build confidence and workplace safety skills.
After earning their certification, representatives from Goodwill Industries International met with participants to help develop job-readiness skills and discuss employment opportunities following their release. Program partners also work with local employers such as AISIN Automotive Casting and Staffmark to connect individuals with jobs that align with their newly developed skills.
More than 80 inmates at the detention center qualified for the program, though staff ultimately selected 12 participants to take part in the first training group. While officials said narrowing the list was difficult, they also expressed hope that the program can continue in the future so that more individuals will have the same opportunity.
Employers from AISIN and Staffmark also visited the detention center during the training, meeting with participants and discussing how the certification could help them transition back into the workforce once they return to their communities.
Whitley County Detention Center Office Manager Felicia Fore described the program as a way designed to support the reentry process — helping individuals rebuild their lives step by step and reminding them that their past does not define their future.
Steve Drake , CEO of Forklift University , said the initiative represents a first-of-its-kind pilot program that could serve as a model across the country.
“Everybody here came together to build a program that I think is going to be valuable across the nation,” said Drake. “This is our pilot, and hopefully it works out for the guys.”
Drake explained that the training went far beyond a traditional certification course that relies only on a video and written test. Instead, participants spent four to five hours in classroom instruction before transitioning to virtual reality training, allowing them to learn the mechanics and safety of operating a forklift without the risks associated with first-time equipment use.
Throughout the five-day program, participants practiced driving and operating a forklift in a VR simulation where they were evaluated on safety and performance. After successfully completing the simulation portion, they moved on to operate an actual forklift in a controlled environment.
Scott Peloso , vice president of Forklift University — who once participated in a reentry program himself — worked directly with the group throughout the week, guiding participants through the hands-on portion of the training and helping them build both skill and confidence.
Peloso said each of the 12 participants demonstrated dedication and enthusiasm throughout the program.
“It gives us a real opportunity to be able to leave jail and be able to return to work, and be able to provide for our families,” said Phillip Burchett , an inmate at the Whitley County Detention Center who just recently graduated from the program. “It’s a real opportunity – it’s a shot. It’s given us that chance.”
Another participant said the program represented more than job training — it also provided valuable life lessons.
“I’ve learned to work in a structured environment, discipline, safety, and how to provide for my family the right way,” said Darren Canada . “I want to get back into society and provide for my family the right way, like I can. And this right here is the next step in doing that for me.”
By the end of the five-day program, all 12 participants successfully completed classroom instruction, virtual reality simulations and hands-on forklift operation. Each earned their certification — a credential that could help open doors to employment opportunities and provide a renewed sense of purpose once they are released.
For those who participated, the program represented more than a certificate — it represented a chance to move forward and begin building a new path.
© 2026 The Times-Tribune (Corbin, Ky.). Visit www.thetimestribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
