Despite significant challenges, business, government, and education leaders envision businesses and industries with the competitive edge to succeed in the global economy and citizens with a standard of living that exceeds the national average. To achieve these goals will be no small task. Fortunately, historic legislation in 1997 created the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) by combining the state's public two-year colleges into a more comprehensive, flexible, and responsive system. KCTCS is the Commonwealth's primary catalyst for economic development, community growth, and enhanced educational attainment of our citizens as they strive to succeed in the 21st Century.

By all measures, KCTCS is already making a significant impact and exceeding expectations. For example:

Educational Access - Since the creation of KCTCS, credit enrollment in associate degrees, certificate, and diploma programs has increased by 49 percent. Our 62 campus locations offer students convenient and affordable access to postsecondary education. KCTCS is also a leader in distance learning with some 500 courses being offered by more than 250 faculty. In 1999, only 534 students enrolled in KCTCS distance learning courses. In 2002, we had more than 3,900, and the number is growing rapidly each year.

Educational Attainment - More than 20,000 students have already graduated with KCTCS associate degrees that transfer to four-year institutions of higher education or with certificates or diplomas in specific areas that lead directly to employment. Thousands more have completed KCTCS courses to obtain competencies and jobs skills to get a better or higher paying job. KCTCS is a leading provider of adult basic education and GED preparation for thousands of Kentuckians each year. There's a payoff for educational attainment. According to the American Association of Community Colleges, students who complete associate degrees and certificates are more likely to move into higher-status management and professional positions with higher earnings. Over their lifetimes, students who obtain associate degrees earn on average $250,000 more than people without degrees.

Employability - KCTCS students learn real-world knowledge and applications, based on guidance from industry partners such as Toyota, Ashland Inc., BellSouth, Ford Motor Company, Microsoft, UPS, Cisco Systems, and many more. We offer 2,200 options in occupational/technical programs that prepare students for every one of the 25 hottest jobs in America as defined by Money magazine. KCTCS is playing a lead role in the implementation of the statewide Employability Certificate to assure employers that potential workers have the necessary competencies and skills to be successful. And more than 3,400 individuals on public assistance have participated in our nationally recognized Ready-to-Work program to attain higher levels of educational and essential workplace skills that enable them to move into unsubsidized employment - a feat many thought impossible only a few years ago.

Community and Economic Development - Some 4,000 courses are delivered each year to more than 125,000 individuals and 2,400 businesses through community and economic development programs statewide. And the KCTCS Kentucky Workforce Investment Network System (KY WINS) assists local and state economic development leaders in creating new jobs for expanding companies, such as UPS, Cingular Wireless, and American Woodmark, just to name a few.

Cultural Enrichment - More than 500,000 citizens enjoy music, theater, traveling exhibitions, and art shows in KCTCS fine arts centers and cultural facilities around the state each year. These cultural opportunities make our communities more attractive to potential employers and improve the quality of life for local citizens.