Hazard Community College strengthens Perry County workforce with training

Hazard Community & Technical College serves roughly 4,000 students across five locations, functioning as a central hub for workforce training, allied health education, technical trades and continuing education in Perry County and the surrounding region. The two-year college is fully accredited and awards associate degrees, diplomas and certificates designed to connect residents to local employment opportunities.

The college operates the Hazard Campus, Technical Campus, Lees College Campus, Knott County Branch and Leslie County Center. Its physical address is One Community College Drive, Highway 15 South, Hazard, KY 41701. For general inquiries the president’s office can be reached at (606) 436-5721 or toll free at (800) 246-7521; fax is (606) 439-2988.

HCTC plays a practical role in the local economy by partnering with employers, the Perry County fiscal court and community organizations on apprenticeship programs and workforce development initiatives. The Center for Community Workforce & Economic Development supports training that aligns with employer needs, while allied health programs and disability services help address local public health and staffing needs in clinics and long term care facilities. The college also hosts community events and job fairs that act as civic touchpoints for residents seeking career transitions or upskilling.

Students and residents can contact specific campus services directly: Admissions at (606) 487-3064, Financial Aid at (606) 487-3061, the Business Office at (606) 487-3183 and Continuing Education at (606) 487-3065. Support services include Disability Services at (606) 487-3086 and the Center for Community Workforce & Economic Development at (606) 487-3069. Public Relations can be reached at (606) 487-3141.

For Perry County, the college is more than an educational institution; it is a lever for social and economic equity. By offering affordable credentials, credit and noncredit training, and employer-aligned apprenticeships, HCTC lowers barriers for residents who need flexible pathways to work, particularly those balancing family responsibilities, recovery, or unstable job histories. Continued investment in allied health and technical trade training also has public health implications, improving the county’s capacity to staff hospitals, clinics and emergency services.

Hazard Community & Technical College is part of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System and remains a local asset for career entry and upward mobility. Whether you are a recent high school graduate, a parent looking for night classes, or a displaced worker seeking retraining, the college provides practical routes back into the workforce.

The takeaway? If you or someone you know wants training or help navigating financial aid, reach out to Admissions at (606) 487-3064 or call the president’s office at (606) 436-5721 — small moves like a phone call can open a job pathway that keeps Perry County working.