Rewarding career opportunities await for graduates of Pennsylvania College of Technology’s electrical programs: associate degrees in electrical technology and mechatronics and a bachelor’s degree in building automation technology. All three majors blend theory with considerable hands-on lab experience to produce graduates who are real-world ready. In fact, as noted in a new video on the college’s YouTube channel, many students secure jobs prior to graduation. “I think Penn College is doing a great job of introducing … students to the high level of technology within our industry,” says Matt Holbert, director of engineering for NRG Controls North. “Students coming out of there are sharp.”
On the surface, the three men have little in common. One looks like a vibrant, distinguished grandfather with his neatly trimmed white goatee and confident gait. The second could pass for a lead singer in a rock band with his lip and nose rings, faded T-shirt and long hair. The third appears to be a budding executive with his coiffed hair and button-down shirt complemented by a perfect smile.
They are separated by appearance, age, background and job title. But the three share educational roots at Pennsylvania College of Technology and mission at Packaging Progressions Inc. in Souderton.
Pennsylvania College of Technology electrical students powered their education throughout the fall semester by employing their skills at a regional park.
The 15 second-semester students installed electrical service at Lime Bluff Recreation Area in Hughesville. What began in the heat of August ended in December’s chill as the students worked about five hours a week at the complex.
“The work they did can’t be replicated in the lab due to the nature of it,” said Joseph R. Raup, instructor of electrical technology/occupations and teacher of the Construction Lab II-Commercial course charged with the project. “We don’t have the area to do the trenching and the underground type of work.”
Second-semester students seeking an associate degree in electrical technology at Penn College installed electrical service to Lime Bluff Recreation Area in Hughesville throughout the fall semester. The 15 students gained four months of “real-world” experience as they provided lighting and outlets to a maintenance building and a park pavilion, granting a longtime wish of the East Lycoming Recreation Authority to bring electricity to the park. “They really saved us a ton of money, both in drafting and in electrical,” said Thomas Zavalydriga, project director for the authority. “I’ve been in management all my professional career and these students have done just an outstanding job from a professional … and a personal standpoint.”
Kurt M. Maly, of Effort, is the initial recipient of Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Army ROTC First-Year Scholarship. The award covers tuition for Maly’s freshman year.
“We are proud to offer this scholarship for incoming ROTC students,” said Carolyn R. Strickland, vice president for enrollment management and associate provost at Penn College. “For several years, ROTC students at the college have distinguished themselves in and out of the classroom. We have every expectation that Kurt will continue that tradition.”
In their ongoing effort to establish ties with industry leaders, faculty from Pennsylvania College of Technology’s electrical department visited with officials and alumni at the Crown Cork and Seal beverage can manufacturing plant in Nichols, New York, on Wednesday.
Ball Corp., a leading supplier of metal packaging and aerospace technologies, has established two scholarship funds at Pennsylvania College of Technology.
The Diversity in Manufacturing and the Manufacturing Tomorrow’s Leaders scholarship funds each will provide annual $1,500 scholarship awards to students at Penn College.
Nearly all 27 members of Pennsylvania College of Technology’s SkillsUSA team – 21 of them advancing to the 54th annual National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville, Kentucky – earned medals during recent state competition.
The competitors represent majors across four of Penn College’s academic schools, and the theme for the April 18-20 Pennsylvania Leadership and Skills Conference in Hershey couldn’t have been more fitting for students gaining career-making skills in hands-on fashion: “Champions at Work: Job-Ready, Day One.”
A Pennsylvania College of Technology student has been awarded a $2,000 scholarship from a coalition of longtime industry benefactors.
Nathan J. Lavallee, of Loganton, enrolled in heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology (and continuing toward a bachelor’s degree in building automation technology: heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology concentration) is among 40 recipients of the Clifford H. “Ted” Rees Jr. Scholarship from the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute’s Rees Scholarship Foundation.
With a new gift of more than $150,000, Chevron Appalachia funding for Pennsylvania College of Technology scholarships and outreach in energy and manufacturing has surpassed $550,000.
Through its Workforce Development & Continuing Education office, Penn College recently was awarded funding of $150,302 from Chevron; the college has now received a total of $550,987 from Chevron’s Appalachia Partnership Initiative.
Students in four majors at Pennsylvania College of Technology will benefit from a recent donation by a prominent electrical engineering and automation company.
Phoenix Contact delivered approximately $35,500 worth of programmable logic controller components to be integrated into the college’s soon-to-be renovated PLC labs. Beginning in the fall semester, more than 60 students per academic year will use the components in the hands-on portion of several classes.
Those students will be seeking associate degrees in electrical technology, electromechanical maintenance technology, mechatronics engineering technology and on-site power generation.
Pennsylvania College of Technology recently recognized 13 first-year students who received Penn College NOW scholarships.
The recipients completed Penn College courses during high school as part of the college’s Penn College NOW dual-enrollment program. The group was honored during an Oct. 27 reception.
To be eligible, students must have successfully completed at least one Penn College NOW course, have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in Penn College NOW classes, enroll in Penn College as a full-time freshman student for the fall semester after high school graduation, and maintain a 2.5 GPA at Penn College as an enrolled student.
Pennsylvania College of Technology is addressing the manufacturing skills gap by sponsoring apprenticeship training programs for regional companies.
The Pennsylvania Apprenticeship and Training Office recently approved the college’s programs focusing on mechatronics and computer numerical control occupations. As sponsor, the college will oversee all elements, including related classroom training and collection of records from the companies offering on-the-job training.
“Through sponsorship, Penn College is able to bring companies together in a way that reduces cost and minimizes administrative burden,” said Christopher P. Ray, executive director of business development for workforce development and continuing education. “The benefits to manufacturers are considerable when you add industry-recognized credentials and delivery methods tailored to company schedules.”
With the help of Jacob M. Endy, of Pottstown, a sophomore in mechatronics engineering technology, Cipriani measures rotation speed.Seth J. Balkey, of State College, a junior in applied technology studies, is among students giving Cipriani and Ramsay a tour of the mechatronics lab.The guests share a laugh with David M. Zlotnicki, of Oil City, a Presidential Student Ambassador majoring in electronics and computer engineering technology.
As Pennsylvania marks National Apprenticeship Week, the commonwealth’s deputy secretary for workforce development announced mechatronics technician and CNC operator apprenticeships during a visit to Penn College on Friday. “The Wolf administration supports the growth and expansion of apprenticeship programs as a viable way to develop a pool of high-skilled, qualified talent for employers,” Eileen Cipriani said at an afternoon gathering in the college’s Center for Business & Workforce Development. “Creating new apprenticeship programs … not only helps meet regional employment needs, but provides job seekers with valuable hands-on training that leads to family-sustaining jobs.” Watch PCToday for more on the new apprenticeships.
Nathaniel J. Correll, a building automation technology major from Nazareth, has been chosen as the October “Student of the Month” at Pennsylvania College of Technology.
A member of the student chapter of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America and part of the men’s volleyball club team, Correll was described by his nominator as having “learned to time-manage remarkably well” in juggling daily responsibilities and late-night practices – all while remaining “an overall well-rounded individual.”
