House GOP panel holds campus hearing on boosting state's economy

Published 08.17.2021

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Welding & Metal Fabrication
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    Bradley M. Webb (left), dean of engineering technologies, discusses plastic pellets during a lab tour with Rep. Barbara Gleim (R-199) and Rep. Martin Causer (R-67), committee chair.Causer is framed by the Baja SAE team's vehicle in the Larry A. Ward Machining Technologies Center.The tour group moves to a welding lab in the Lycoming Engines Metal Trades Center. At left (in red tie) is Rep. Joe Hamm (R-84), whose district includes part of Lycoming County.Webb leads visitors – including Wheeland (front row, center), the county's other representative – to College Avenue Labs.Munro testifies and answers questions about the many ways Penn College addresses workforce challenges, from apprenticeship programs to the Clean Energy Center to WEDnetPA training of companies' employees.The state House Majority Policy Committee visited Penn College's main campus on Tuesday, taking a tour before holding a hearing on "Growing Pennsylvania's Economy." Twelve members of the committee, chaired by Rep. Martin Causer, of McKean County – joined remotely by others – heard testimony during the two-hour session in the Thompson Professional Development Center. Among those sharing their expertise were Shannon M. Munro, the college's vice president for workforce development, characterized by co-host Rep. Jeff Wheeland as "the go-to person" in her field. "Because employers grow the economy, we must respond to their needs," Munro said. "Penn College does this in two distinct ways: We provide a pipeline of graduates in degrees that align with what employers are looking for, and we also offer lifelong training opportunities for their incumbent workers."

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