Career and Technical Education opportunities are abundant in the region

February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, a time to spotlight the critical role CTE plays in preparing students for career success. In the Lincoln Trail Region, students have no shortage of opportunities to explore and excel in career and technical fields through area school facilities offering comprehensive, career-oriented education such as the Hardin County Schools Early College & Career Center (EC3), the Breckinridge County Area Technology Center, the Grayson County Technology Center, the Marion County Area Technology Center, the Meade County College and Career Center, the Nelson County UP Center, and the Washington County Transportation, Engineering and Logistics (TEL) Center. 

Another prime example is the Polytechnic Center at Bardstown High School, where students can earn dual credits through Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC).

According to Lance Blanford, Board Chair for the Lincoln Trail Workforce Development Board and Workforce Development Coordinator for Bardstown High School, the Polytechnic Center was created to give students direct, daily access to high-quality career and technical education in a professional, real-world setting. After receiving a state grant in 2021, the Bardstown school system bonded additional funds to transform a vacated elementary school into a state-of-the-art facility. The center eliminated the need for students to travel to off-campus programs, restoring valuable instructional time and allowing hands-on learning to occur every day. Designed to mirror actual industry environments, the Polytechnic Center immerses students in workplace-ready settings that prepare them for modern careers from the moment they step inside. The Polytechnic Center offers pathways in engineering, construction, culinary arts, business, education and health science, and is intentionally built to be flexible and future-focused.

Building on these strong secondary education foundations, Elizabethtown Community & Technical College (ECTC) serves as a natural partner for students seeking to continue their career and technical education beyond high school.

At ECTC, where I serve as Director of Essential Skills Training, our career and technical programs create clear pathways for students to gain the skills needed for meaningful, in-demand careers while also providing local employers with a highly trained workforce. While ECTC offers associate degrees designed for university transfer, our mission extends far beyond that. We deliver a broad range of CTE programs tailored to today’s workforce needs, from technology-focused fields like Automation, Industrial and Robotics Technology and Computerized Manufacturing and Machining; to computer-based programs such as Computer-Aided Drafting and Design and Computer and Information Technologies; to high-demand healthcare programs including Nursing, Radiography and Respiratory Care and Diagnostic Medical Sonography. These many offerings are designed to help students step confidently and directly into prosperous careers.

Through ECTC’s Workforce Solutions, we deliver high-quality training services that help employees across a wide range of trades strengthen and expand their skill sets, creating a clear benefit for both workers and employers throughout the region. From industrial maintenance and team building to computer skills and continuing education for licensed professionals, our team is prepared to support and strengthen the local workforce.

One standout opportunity is the Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship, which is available to Kentucky residents who do not already possess an associate degree or higher. This scholarship enables eligible students to earn up to 60 credit hours tuition-free in high-demand career fields.

CTE opportunities are also a major focus of regional workforce development organizations, including Career TEAM, the Direct Service Provider for the Kentucky Career Center - Lincoln Trail. According to Kristin Reed, Executive Director for Career TEAM in the Lincoln Trail region, the team utilizes various tools, including CareerEDGE, TransfrVR and labor market information, to connect clients to the most suitable career path for their individual needs. 

Career Advisors work with clients to determine that path using their unique skills and interests. The program can provide career guidance, tuition assistance, as well as work experience opportunities and job-related needs assistance for individuals under 25. In the process, the team utilizes Kentucky Career Center partnerships and connections to help clients find employment opportunities after they complete their training.

By aligning education and training with career opportunities, these regional initiatives demonstrate how CTE not only prepares individuals with high-demand careers but also strengthens the area workforce, helping students and workers thrive while supporting the long-term economic strength of the community. 

Beth Cassity serves as Director of Essential Skills Training at Elizabethtown Community & Technical College.