HAZARD, Ky. — Officials with Hazard Community and Technical College have announced plans to offer a Manufacturing Engineering Technician Associate of Applied Science program in the upcoming fall semester.

HCTC was awarded an Appalachian Regional Commission grant funding to purchase $1.2 million in equipment for classes taught in Jackson at the new E.O. Robinson Intergenerational Center and at the Hazard Technical Campus, said HCTC Public Relations Director Evelyn Wood. Additionally, she said, the college received $600,000 in Appalachian Regional Commission grant funding to improve HCTC’s welding program on the Hazard Technical Campus. Current certificates to be offered through the program include mechatronics, integrated manufacturing technology, operations management, quality control and exploratory machining.

HCTC, Wood said, is a consortium partner in an Economic Development Administration grant for $2.6 million, which will be used to purchase equipment and add faculty to the manufacturing programs which will be offered on the Hazard Technical Campus.

Many of the college’s staff said they believe offering a  Manufacturing Engineering Technology Program is necessary to achieve many of their goals, as well as expand growth in the county.

“The Manufacturing Engineering Technology Program is part of HCTC’s vision for the future of Appalachia in areas such as advanced technology and industries including automotive and aerospace, said HCTC President Dr. Jennifer Lindon. “Through programs such as this, we will have a skilled workforce prepared for what lies ahead.”

“People think there are not manufacturing jobs here, but there are,” said Dr. Sandra Kiddoo, chief academic officer. “The announcement about Dajcor supports the need for us to respond to train a manufacturing workforce.”

The program is scheduled to be available for the fall semester, said HCTC officials.

“The program was approved by the Board of Regents at the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) this month,” said Wood. “Students interested should enroll now for the fall semester to get a head start on the general education courses for an associate’s degree.”

Until a coordinator is hired, Dr. Kiddoo is the contact for those who have questions, said HCTC officials. For more information, contact Kiddoo at, Sandra.Kiddoo@kctcs.edu, or by calling , (606) 487-3090.