Build Freedom US team tours Penn College

On Oct. 14, a government official from the House of Representatives and two employees from the Build Freedom US team – a Department of War civilian and contractor – visited Pennsylvania College of Technology to tour the campus and learn more about the college’s career and technical education programs and workforce development capabilities.

The visit highlighted how institutions such as Penn College can help prepare skilled workers for high-demand careers that support the defense industrial base. Penn College demonstrated its ability to graduate students with practical, industry relevant skills and nimbly respond to industry needs.

This visit followed Penn College President Michael J. Reed’s Sept. 4 testimony before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense at a field hearing focused on the industrial base and skilled-trades workforce development. Reed emphasized the college’s capacity to help meet growing defense-related workforce requirements through its technical programs, industry partnerships and adaptable training capabilities.

Visiting campus on Oct. 14 were Gina Pizziconi Cupples, professional staff member for the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense; Jesse Wilson, workforce program manager for Warfighting Investments, Resourcing and Execution (WIRE) in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of War (Industrial Base Resilience); and Kris Rick, workforce program senior advisor for WIRE.

Launched in July 2026, Build Freedom US is a DOW-funded national workforce awareness and engagement initiative designed to introduce Americans to rewarding careers in the skilled trades, advanced manufacturing and industries that support national defense. Supported through the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program, the initiative seeks to elevate awareness of technical career pathways and connect prospective workers with employers, training opportunities and resources.

Working with the MikeRoweWORKS Foundation and the National Labor Exchange, BuildFreedom.US helps individuals explore in-demand occupations and identify potential pathways into high-paid, high-demand careers.

Build Freedom US supports broader efforts to strengthen domestic manufacturing by expanding awareness of skilled trades careers, connecting education and training providers with workforce needs, and helping build a sustainable pipeline of American talent. These efforts are especially important as manufacturers and defense suppliers confront persistent shortages of qualified workers. During the visit, Penn College highlighted its existing infrastructure, certification, industry-aligned curriculum and options to expand training capacity. The discussion demonstrated how established technical institutions contribute to meeting immediate workforce needs.

“Penn College is a national leader in applied technology education, and we are positioned well to respond to our nation’s call to action to produce a larger, highly skilled, technical workforce,” Reed said. “We were honored to be selected to provide congressional testimony last month and grateful to host a campus visit to gain a deeper understanding of the specific needs and how Penn College can further assist our defense industrial base. It’s no secret, our national security relies on our nation’s ability to produce technically skilled workers with durable skills. We are facing a significant shortage of skilled labor talent supporting the defense industrial base. With our aligned academic programs, industry standard labs, incredible faculty and staff, and adaptable workforce development division, I am confident that we can help close this gap.”      

During their tour, Pizziconi Cupples, Wilson and Rick visited the Larry A. Ward Machining Technologies Center; the Lycoming Engines Metal Trades Center; the Gene Haas Center for Innovative Manufacturing; the Electrical Technologies Center; building construction technology and heating, ventilation & air conditioning labs; emergency management & homeland security facilities; several lab spaces at the Lumley Aviation Center; and diesel technology and on-site power generation facilities at the Schneebeli Earth Science Center.

Faculty described strong demand for Penn College graduates, including approximately nine available positions for every Penn College manufacturing graduate at a recent Career Fair. They also discussed opportunities to expand program capacity and strengthen industry partnerships. The officials also learned about Penn College Workforce Development’s short-term customized training and federally registered apprenticeships to industry partners.

For information about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions & Secondary Partnerships Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.