Secretary Hal Heiner announced Friday that Nicholas County has been certified as a Kentucky Work Ready Community. Bell, Cumberland, Garrard, and Lee counties have also been certified as Kentucky Work Ready Communities in Progress. Heiner said he was excited there are now 33 counties certified by the Kentucky Workforce Innovation Board as Work Ready Communities and 48 counties in progress as the aspiring economy depends on a skilled workforce. The certification program from the KWIB assures employers that a local workforce has the talent and skills necessary to staff existing jobs and master innovative technologies new jobs will require.