On the fifth anniversary of her being named president of Hopkinsville Community College, Dr. Alissa Young got to share a gift with the community Saturday — cutting the ribbon on the new Flexible Training Center that will provide classrooms and labs for the college’s welding, diesel, and truck driver training programs.
HCC, Christian County Public Schools, and the Christian County Chamber of Commerce were awarded a nearly $4.3 million grant from the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet in 2017 to double the size of the existing welding training facility to create the Flexible Training Center.
The facility was completed in 2020 but COVID protocols and regulations didn’t allow for a celebratory event for its opening until Saturday.
Dr. Young called the Flex Center an example of what Hopkinsville Community College is trying to accomplish.
click to download audioDr. Young called it a collaborative effort between local governments, the commercial sector, the agriculture industry, and Fort Campbell, who are partners in the efforts.
click to download audioDr. Young said the HCC welding training program has grown 92-percent in the past year.
Bob Smith, HCC professional and technical studies division chair, called the state-of-the-art facility a chance to grow its current training for welding, truck driving, and diesel technology.
click to download audioSmith said the new Flex Center will help meet the needs of a section of the workforce where work-ready skills are valued over a college degree.
click to download audioDr. Young echoed Smith’s comments, saying over 850 students have completed the school’s CDL training since 2013 with 89 completing training in the past year.
