Gray Recognized as Education First Employer by Bluegrass Community and Technical College

Published on Jan 6, 2026

LEXINGTON, KY - Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) has recognized Gray as an Education First Employer, highlighting the company’s commitment to workforce development, employee education, and strong partnerships that connect learning to meaningful career pathways.

The Education First Employer initiative recognizes businesses that go above and beyond to support their employees through education and training. Companies designated as Education First Employers provide tuition assistance, flexible scheduling, and competitive wages, while actively partnering with BCTC to strengthen employability skills and position graduates for long-term career success and high earning potential in today’s economy.

“Gray’s commitment to education and workforce development exemplifies the values of the Education First Employer initiative,” said Dr. Greg Feeney, President and CEO of BCTC. “By investing in their employees and engaging directly with BCTC, Gray is helping to create clear, accessible pathways that empower students and working adults to advance their education, strengthen their skills, and succeed in a rapidly changing workforce.”

“Gray is proud to be recognized as an Education First Employer with BCTC,” said Clayton Abernathy, manager of team member & community engagement at Gray. “Through this partnership, Gray is committed to further investing in career exploration, student outreach, and workforce development to make sure students have clear pathways to meaningful careers and the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving workforce.”

BCTC leadership emphasized the broader impact of the initiative on students, employees, and regional economic growth.

“We are excited to recognize Gray as an Education First Employer,” said Dr. Tracy Spotts. “This commitment expands access to education and career advancement while strengthening the connection between learning and the workforce.”

About Gray

Gray is a fully integrated design-builder delivering end-to-end solutions in construction, professional services, specialty equipment, and real estate. Since 1960, we have grown from a regional contractor to a nationally ranked leader, serving top companies in our core markets. Our comprehensive services make us a trusted partner for every phase of a project. Whether designing and building a state-of-the-art facility, fabricating custom process equipment, or implementing advanced automation, our expertise drives innovation and value at every step. 

For more information on Gray, visit gray.com and follow Gray on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. 

About Education First Employers

BCTC continues to expand the Education First Employer initiative by inviting companies that are investing in workforce development to participate. A full listing of current Education First Employer partners can be found at the KCTCS Education First Employers page.