Beginning in 1967, Twin Cities suburban school districts began advocating at the Minnesota Legislature for legislation that would create post-secondary vocational schools in rapidly growing suburban districts.
In 1968, legislation passed which enabled the formation of a cooperative organization structure for vocational technical education among all of the independent school districts in suburban Hennepin County, known as Independent School District 287.
[4] Construction on two campuses began in 1970, and the Suburban Hennepin County Area Vocational-Technical Centers in Brooklyn Park and Eden Prairie opened at temporary sites in 1972.
Hennepin Technical College also works closely with community partners to provide customized training in areas such as culinary arts and fire protection.
There are a few student clubs and organizations that are active and sponsored by Hennepin Technical College, including Phi Theta Kappa, Pangea Multicultural Club, Student Life Board, SkillsUSA, Veteran Student Club, Gay-Straight Alliance, the HTC Student Senate and eSports Gaming Club.