HCTC Awarded Workforce Development Trust Funds Grant enabling graduates to start work sooner

Hazard Community and Technical College (HCTC) is excited to announce a $174,600 grant from Kentucky’s Council on Post Secondary Education’s Workforce Development Trust Funds aimed at expanding college programs that lead to high-demand, short-term certificate options.   

 The Workforce Development Trust Funds Grant will enhance eight certificate offerings across four different programs to increase the number of credentials offered while also increasing enrollment and completion.    

“This grant will give HCTC the opportunity to offer students in our region more access to sought-after short-term certificates,” HCTC President Dr. Jennifer Lindon said. “We’re very excited for our current and future students at HCTC to graduate and go to work, meeting the needs of our employer partners!”   

One of the programs that will be supported by the grant is the HCTC Lineman Training Program through the Workforce Solutions Department with five industry recognized certifications. By combining credentials, each lineman student will earn a total of eight credentials, enhancing individual employment opportunities.    

The second program supported is the Manufacturing Engineering Technology program. HCTC will partner with Dajcor Aluminum, a manufacturing facility located in Hazard, which will accept HCTC’s training as a pre-requisite to employment with their company. All applicants seeking employment without previous advanced manufacturing experience will be referred to HCTC for training and will receive an interview with Dajcor. HCTC is also in negotiations with Wells Motor Sport, a new manufacturing company in Hazard which intends to hire eight employees.    

HCTC’s Nursing program’s Nurse Aide will also be supported. To help fill the overwhelming needs in the region, HCTC will expand the nurse aide program into its northern service region in Wolfe County, Kentucky. By offering this program in Wolfe County, an increased number of Nurse Aides will be added to the workforce filling much needed positions in Lee, Owsley, and Wolfe Counties. 

The program will also support students in the Computer Information Technology program. A student who graduates with the Computer Technician certificate will also graduate with three additional certificates (A+ Prep, Net+ Prep, and Security+ Prep) which map to national industry certifications (A+, Net+, and Security+).    

“We hope to see many more students graduating from these short-term, high demand programs and getting to work quicker,” Lindon added. 

To find out more about Hazard Community and Technical College, go to hazard.kctcs.edu, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok to get the most up-to-date announcements.