News about Workforce Development & Continuing Education

Roll-Fed Thermoformer Adds to Center of Excellence at College

Christopher J. Gagliano, program manager for Penn College’s Thermoforming Center of Excellence, operates the new equipment.

A custom-built, roll-fed, thin-sheet thermoformer is the latest addition to the Thermoforming Center of Excellence at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Thermoforming is a process by which plastic film or sheet is heated and then molded into three-dimensional shapes for such everyday uses as packaging, displays and components for a variety of transportation applications. The new equipment is a semi-commercial scale thermoforming machine that feeds rolls of plastic film into the thermoformer to produce and duplicate multiple formed packaging techniques used in industry.

According to Christopher J. Gagliano, program manager, Thermoforming Center of Excellence, “This equipment expands Penn College’s capability, which already includes a heavy-gauge thermoformer, to support additional (research-and-development) projects and teach incumbent workers and students using the latest technology.”

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Workforce Development to Be Showcased During PM Exchange

Workforce development to be showcased at chamber's PM Exchange.

Experience the innovative ways companies are bridging the skills gap during Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Workforce Development PM Exchange from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21.

Together with the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, Penn College will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Center for Business & Workforce Development, 1127 W. Fourth St.

“A great deal has changed in the past decade with new infrastructure, significant technology upgrades and vastly expanded program offerings,” notes Shannon Munro, vice president for workforce development. “Penn College assists companies nationwide to improve competencies in topics such as business, industrial, plastics, computer, energy and health care.”

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International Expertise Abounds at Rotomolding Workshop

Matthew Jackson, of Tennant Co., Minneapolis, a participant in a recent Rotational Molding Workshop at Penn College, attaches a radio telemetry system to a rotational mold to measure internal air temperature.

Scores of industry professionals gathered at Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Plastics Innovation & Resource Center this summer for advice about rotational molding from well-versed – and well-traveled – authorities in the field.

A total of 42 participants from 26 companies – representing 16 states, as well as Canada and Mexico – attended the ninth annual Hands-On Rotational Molding Workshop on the college’s main campus in June.

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Practical Nursing Information Session to Be Held in Wellsboro

Excellent career opportunities for licensed practical nurses exist in area hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, personal-care facilities and human-service organizations.

Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Outreach Practical Nursing Program, located in the Wellsboro Area School District, will host an information session for those interested in nursing as a career. The session will be at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, in the former music room of the school district’s administration building.

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Workforce Development Sets Industry-Focused Classes

Three skills- and safety-oriented industrial classes have been announced for the Fall 2017 semester by Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Workforce Development & Continuing Education Office.

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Penn College Extrusion Workshop Proves Popular

Adam C. Barilla, instructor of plastics and polymer technology at Penn College, demonstrates tensile testing to participants during the 19th annual Extrusion Seminar & Hands-On Workshop at the college’s Plastics Innovation & Resource Center. (Photo by Tia G. La, student photographer)

Nationwide plastics industry professionals converged at Pennsylvania College of Technology’s renowned Plastics Innovation & Resource Center for the 19th Annual Extrusion Seminar & Hands-On Workshop.

Forty-three participants, representing 20 companies and nine states, attended the three-day event led by extrusion experts Chris Rauwendaal and Kirk M. Cantor. Rauwendaal is president of Rauwendaal Extrusion Engineering Inc. in Auburn, California; Cantor is a professor of plastics and polymer technology at Penn College. Combined, the duo has approximately 70 years of experience in plastics.

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Microsoft Office Courses Scheduled at Penn College

For those looking to sharpen their computer skills while learning something new, Workforce Development & Continuing Education at Pennsylvania College of Technology is offering several easy-to-grasp computer courses.

The Microsoft Office courses are taught by qualified instructors at a comfortable pace for all levels of adult learners. The small, noncredit classes are held in a relaxed computer-classroom environment, allowing participants to learn, experiment and ask questions. Courses are hands-on, with each participant working at a computer station. The cost for each is $195.

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QuickBooks Accounting Software Classes Offered at Penn College

Learn to run your business better with QuickBooks accounting software classes, two levels of which will be offered this fall at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

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Master Your Creative Potential Through Penn College Classes

Two digital imaging courses will be offered this fall by Workforce Development & Continuing Education at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Instructor Wayne Palmer has been involved with some facet of photography for more than 40 years. The owner of Palmer Multimedia Imaging, he will share his mastery of digital photography and Adobe Photoshop with WDCE students starting in September.

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WDCE Leadership Program Aims to Develop Mid-Level Managers

A leadership program offered this fall by Workforce Development & Continuing Education at Pennsylvania College of Technology focuses on mid-level managers and those aspiring to move into those positions.

Classes will be held in the Community Education Center of Elk and Cameron Counties, 4 Erie Ave., St. Marys, and are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 19, Oct. 10 and 24, and Nov. 7 and 21.

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EMT Course Scheduled in Mid-August at Four Sites in Area

An Emergency Medical Technician course, beginning the week of Aug. 14, will be offered at four locations by Workforce Development & Continuing Education at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

The course meets National Emergency Medical Services Educational Standards and Instructional Guidelines and is intended to prepare students for National Registry cognitive and psychomotor examinations at the EMT level.

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WEDnetPA Seminar Coincides With New Year of Training Funds

The Workforce and Economic Development Network of Pennsylvania, created to strengthen the statewide business environment, is accepting training reimbursement applications for the 2018 fiscal year.

Pennsylvania College of Technology is one of 27 educational partners statewide that comprise WEDnetPA, providing access to training funds and serving as a point of contact for businesses utilizing the grant program. WEDnetPA is funded under the state Department of Community and Economic Development’s PA First line item.

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Penn College Names Vice President for Workforce Development

Shannon M. Munro

A woman with more than 20 years’ experience in workforce-development leadership has been appointed vice president for workforce development at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Shannon M. Munro, who had served as executive director for workforce development and continuing education at the college since 2012, succeeds Tracy L. Brundage, who is leaving to become provost and vice president for academic affairs at Keystone College.

Munro’s appointment was approved Thursday by the Penn College Board of Directors. As vice president, she will oversee all workforce-training and consulting offerings and operations at the college. She will also serve on President’s Council.

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Ten More Complete ShaleNET Roustabout Training

Celebrating their completion of short-term roustabout training are (from left) Weston A. Bushyeager, Coleman R. Wolfe, Nur Hafid Mohadi, Zachary D. Nowicki, Garrett P. Zola, Brendan M. Carothers, Brad S. Fuller, Keith P. Bates, Matthew Diaz and George A. Rippel.

Ten young men in the latest natural gas roustabout class successfully completed training this month through ShaleNET’s Eastern Hub at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

“The group was composed of college students who completed our short-term training to gain industry credentials as well as practical experience,” said Diane H. Bubb, a career counselor with Workforce Development & Continuing Education at Penn College. “The training was scheduled to allow the students to enroll following the completion of their spring semesters. We are very proud of those who completed this class.”

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WDCE’s Mechatronics Training Program Reaches Milestone

Mechatronics Apprenticeship Training offered by Workforce Development & Continuing Education at Pennsylvania College of Technology celebrated the conclusion of its first year of programming in May.

Designed to meet Pennsylvania Department of Labor requirements for competency-based classroom instruction, the training incorporates several features that make the program truly cutting-edge.

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