Workforce/technical training offered in Lee County by HCTC

Seated, from left, are HCTC President Dr. Jennifer Lindon; Williams Owens, Lee County School Board chair; Craig Herald, Lee County Area Technology Center principal; and Dr. James Evans, Lee County Schools Superintendent. Standing, from left, are State Representative Cluster Howard; State Senator Robert Stivers II; and Hal Heiner, Kentucky Education and Workforce Cabinet Secretary.

Increased workforce/technical training will now be available in the Lee County area beginning Sept. 12 following an agreement signed Wednesday, July 27 among Hazard Community and Technical College, the Lee County Board of Education, and the Lee County Area Technology Center. The signing event in Beattyville included the praise of Secretary Hal Heiner, Ky. Education and Workforce Cabinet, because of the classes to be offered in Automotive Technology and Construction Technology.

HCTC President Dr. Jennifer Lindon said service to the adult population in the region was very important. High school students currently take classes during the day at the Lee County Area Technology Center and this agreement allows for adults to have training in the evenings. We are very committed to serving Lee, Wolfe, and Owsley counties, Dr. Lindon said.

Career and technical education are the hot topics. This is a great idea to see implemented throughout the state, noted Secretary Heiner. You are leading the Commonwealth of Kentucky with this initiative, he told the crowd during the signing ceremony.

Dr. Jim Evans, Lee County Schools superintendent, said he and other superintendents were all committed to working together and he was very pleased with the progress made so far. The Lee County Board of Education chair William Owens said the agreement was going to help the communities. He said his Dad used to say, If you will work hard, be honest, you will succeed. He said this agreement opens possibilities for more people to do as his father envisioned.
State Senator Robert Stivers II called it a good day for the future of the region and he was glad to see schools cooperating and making a difference.
Craig Herald, Lee County Area Technology Center principal, and Cluster Howard, State Representative, spoke about how vitally important technical education is for the future of the region. Representative Howard told the crowd how the Intergenerational Center planned for Jackson at HCTC s Lees College Campus is aligned to the focus on technical education and the possibilities that creates for the area.