Workforce Development Articles

The Weatherization Training Center at Pennsylvania College of Technology has officially changed its name to the National Sustainable Structures Center, a designation that reflects continuing opportunities to provide building-science and energy-conservation training to the commercial sector, complementing the training center’s extensive experience in the residential field.

Beginning with the new year, Pennsylvania College of Technology’s North Campus will offer its array of noncredit education programs and industry training from a new location. The 35-acre North Campus facility on Route 6 is being sold to Shell, and the college will begin renting instructional space from the Wellsboro Area School District.

Penn College's role in training workers for the oil and gas industry, including the ShaleNET initiative and the Energy Technology Education Center south of Williamsport, attracted a mention in The New York Times. The article, headlined "Gas Boom County Strives for Economic Afterglow," is on Page A-16 of Sunday's print edition and was posted to the newspaper's website over the weekend.

Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Plastics Innovation & Resource Center is working with Highwood USA, of Tamaqua, to develop a stronger, more heat-resistant synthetic wood resin material. Highwood USA manufactures and markets a line of extruded synthetic wood products.

While natural gas exploration throughout Pennsylvania has stirred debate in recent years, there is one issue on which most can agree: the emergence of viable employment opportunities. The natural gas sector offers rewarding career prospects, especially for those with a technical skill set.

The Marcellus Shale Education & Training Center at Pennsylvania College of Technology has officially changed its name to ShaleTEC (Shale Training & Education Center), a designation more inclusive of current and future industry expansion into other shale and tight-sand formations.

Workforce Development & Continuing Education at Pennsylvania College of Technology, an Autodesk Authorized Training Center and Authorized Certification Center, is participating in this year’s Certification Days. The final 2012 Certification Days date is Oct. 12.

Pennsylvania College of Technology is offering a 30-hour, noncredit course designed to provide licensed dental hygienists with the necessary knowledge and skills to administer local anesthesia in a clinical setting. Specific requirements set forth the by the State Board of Dentistry for Pennsylvania will be addressed. The course is also approved by the Maryland State Board of Dentistry.

Pennsylvania College of Technology has been awarded a $14.96 million federal grant to lead ShaleNET U.S., a consortium initiative that seeks to develop and implement standardized, “stackable” certificate and associate-degree programs serving high-demand occupational categories in the oil and natural gas and associated supply-chain industries.

Two basic computer classes will be offered in October by Workforce Development & Continuing Education at Pennsylvania College of Technology. A Beginner’s Guide to Computers and Microsoft Office will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 5 and 12. The class is designed for new computer users to create basic files in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.