LEXINGTON, Ky. — Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS) has opened its 170,000-s.f. Career and Technical Education (CTE) center that offers students access to 19 career pathways, 26 high-demand industry certifications, and 39 dual credit courses.

Located on the east end of downtown Lexington at the corner of Main Street and Midland Avenue, The Hub for Innovative Learning and Leadership (The HILL) is a state-of-the-art facility that will serve more than 1,000 students beginning August 13. It combines the Southside and Eastside Technical Centers into one centralized location where students can engage with advanced technology and real-world challenges. ​

The site was the Herald-Leader newspaper building for 40 years and had been empty for around five  years. It underwent an extensive renovation to make it into the school system’s technical education center. Every high school student in FCPS is eligible to apply. Once accepted, students will split their day between their home high school and The HILL, where they’ll immerse themselves in specialized pathways.

The HILL’s distinctiveness is amplified by the role students played in its development. From the very beginning, they had a voice in shaping their learning environment through providing input on classroom design and contributing to decisions that promote creativity and collaboration throughout the building. It is also rich in history with many aspects of the building paying homage to its past as the Herald-Leader, with many past and present employees in attendance at the ribbon cutting event.

The HILL will rely on strong partnerships with local businesses, which play a crucial role in offering students real-world experience through internships and project-based learning. These collaborations help bridge the gap between education and Lexington’s growing workforce. FCPS has already built and will continue to build solid partnerships with businesses throughout the Commonwealth to ensure students are exposed to diverse career opportunities.

The Hill is more than just acquiring industry certifications and completing a pathway. It’s about developing well-rounded, passionate, and collaborative future leaders ready to thrive in any professional environment. A ribbon-cutting event last week left attendees with a strong sense of optimism for the future Career and Technical Education in Fayette County.

A strategic priority for Commerce Lexington is identifing partnership opportunities to help develop a high-quality workforce that supports employer needs and careers of the future. The chamber looks forward to continuing to strengthen business partnerships with FCPS to improve business and student connections. For more information about The Hill or business partners opportunities, go here.

More Kentucky business news here.

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