(Hazard, Ky.) — Hazard Community & Technical College (HCTC) is celebrating the accomplishments of eight students from Beacons of Hope Rehabilitation Center who recently earned a certificate in fiber optics through HCTC Workforce Solutions.
The students completed the training through HCTC’s new mobile training unit initiative, which delivers workforce education directly to individuals in recovery from substance use disorder and other underserved populations throughout the region.
Students earning the fiber optics certificate include, in alphabetical order:
- Dustin Bewley
- Tyler Casada
- Christopher Clark
- William Eldridge
- Joshua Hizer
- Chandra Kirkpatrick
- Benjaman Middleton
- Paul Rouse
Beacons of Hope Executive Director Greg Burke said the graduation represents more than a workforce credential; it reflects lives moving forward with hope, purpose and opportunity.
"Through our partnership … we were able to bring higher education and workforce development directly onto our [substance use disorder] recovery campus using the new mobile classroom initiative," he said. "For many of these individuals, this is the first college certification they have ever earned."
Burke said the program equips students with both recovery support and practical career skills.
"[T]hey are not only leaving treatment with recovery tools, but now with an industry-recognized skill that can lead to meaningful employment and long-term stability. That changes families, communities and futures," Burke remarked.
He added that Beacons of Hope believes recovery should include long-term pathways to independence and opportunity.
"At Beacons of Hope, we have always believed recovery must go beyond sobriety alone. Recovery should create pathways to independence, dignity and economic opportunity," he continued. "This program proves that when education, recovery and community partnerships come together, people can truly rebuild their lives."
HCTC Workforce Solutions focuses on short-term workforce education, industry partnerships and rapid skills development to help individuals enter high-demand career fields. The mobile training unit allows HCTC instructors to bring hands-on technical training directly into rehabilitation and recovery settings, removing barriers to educational access and career preparation.
According to Dr. Keila Miller, HCTC chief workforce officer, the mobile training unit represents the role community partnerships play in economic and workforce development.
"The mobile training unit represents more than workforce education. It represents access, collaboration and hope," Dr. Miller said. "Because of investments from and the support of numerous community partners, we are able to bring hands-on training directly to individuals working to rebuild their lives and prepare for sustainable careers."
The mobile training unit was launched earlier this year through support from the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission, which is investing opioid settlement funding into prevention, treatment and recovery initiatives across the Commonwealth. The initiative allows HCTC to expand workforce training opportunities in communities heavily impacted by the opioid crisis.
In addition to fiber optics, the mobile training unit is designed to support instruction in other high-demand workforce areas, including computerized machining and manufacturing.
Dr. Jennifer Lindon, HCTC president and chief executive officer, has championed recovery and reentry training initiatives. As she remarked, the mobile training unit initiative continues to expand access to workforce education in communities across the region.
"This work reflects who we are as a community college and who we are as a region. We show up for one another," Dr. Lindon said. "HCTC is committed to meeting students where they are and creating accessible educational opportunities that strengthen both individuals and communities throughout southeastern Kentucky."
For more information about ways HCTC supports economic and workforce development efforts, visit the Workforce Solutions webpage.
About Hazard Community & Technical College: Founded in 1968, Hazard Community & Technical College is the region’s leading provider of public higher education and the only public college headquartered within its seven-county service area. Through campuses, centers and community partnerships across Breathitt, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Owsley, Perry and Wolfe counties, HCTC delivers accessible, high-quality educational opportunities close to home for learners at every stage of life.
The legacy of HCTC’s historic Lees College Campus in Jackson dates to 1893. The college’s HWY 15 serves as a beacon of healthcare education in the region, preparing the next generation of nurses, allied health professionals and caregivers. Its Technical Campus provides hands-on workforce and technical training opportunities that support regional industry needs, while the Leslie County Center is home to the Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music, which preserves and celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Appalachia.
In addition to academic transfer programs and workforce development initiatives, HCTC offers numerous scholarship opportunities, dual credit options for high school students and flexible pathways for learners of all ages. The college is also committed to supporting students in recovery and creating opportunities for individuals seeking a fresh start through education, career training and community connection.
Together, HCTC’s campuses and programs reflect a long-standing commitment to educational access, workforce advancement, cultural preservation and student success throughout rural southeastern Kentucky.
For more information about HCTC, visit hazard.kctcs.edu.
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