Despite these challenges, Kentucky's hope for a brighter future was embodied by the Postsecondary Education Improvement Act of 1997, which envisioned 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. The cornerstone of this historic legislation was the creation of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS). By combining the state's public two-year community and technical 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. As part of KCTCS, BGTC shares in the vision of economic prosperity and community growth for all citizens of South Central Kentucky.

By all measures, Bowling Green Technical College is exceeding expectations and has already made significant impacts. For example:

Educational Access - Credit enrollment in certificate, diploma and associate degree programs has skyrocketed from 1,093 students in 1999 to 2,273 students in the fall of 2002, an increase of 108 percent.

Educational Attainment - In addition to certificates and diplomas, the BGTC now offers associate degrees in Applied Science and Applied Technology. Thousands have completed courses to obtain competencies and job skills needed to get a better or higher paying job. Others have transferred to four-year institutions of higher education. BGTC is a leading provider of Adult Basic Education, English as a Second Language, Family Literacy and GED preparation for hundreds of area residents each year. 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. The lifetime earnings of individuals who have associate degrees average $250,000 more than people without degrees.



Employability - BGTC is committed to teaching real-world knowledge and applications to our students based on guidance and expertise from local and area industry partners such as Trace Die Cast, Logan Aluminum, Stupp Bridge, Huish Detergent, The Medical Center, General Motors, Greenview Regional Hospital, and AMAK Brake. We offer 30 occupational/technical programs that prepare students for each of the 25 hottest jobs in America as defined by Money magazine. BGTC matches student skills, competencies, and workforce needs that provide business and industry with valuable and productive employees who can adapt to the ever-changing needs of the 21st Century workplace. BGTC is playing a lead role in the implementation of the Employability Certificate to assure employers that potential workers have the necessary competencies and skills to be successful. Many individuals on public assistance have participated in the 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 - Over 8,000 individuals and 400 businesses participated in the College's training services from 1999 to 2001 in support of stronger and more efficient economic performance and profitability. And the Kentucky Workforce Investment Network System (KY WINS) assisted in creating 300 new jobs for expanding companies such as TYCO Electronics, Span-Tech, LLC, Seigel Roberts of Kentucky, R.R. Donnelley, and DANA Corporation.