Penn College Helps Establish Curriculum for Training Program
Published 01.25.2000
Pennsylvania College of Technology is helping to develop a curriculum that represents the first step in furnishing the Pennsylvania hardwood industry with the well-trained employees it needs to thrive in a global economy.
In a one-year project, the College is being funded for $35,000 for its role in establishing the first year of curriculum for a three-year "Wood Industry Cluster" program that will be used in high school vocational programs statewide. Penn College hopes to take part in developing the remaining two years of the curriculum, as well.
The College will function as a subcontractor for the Northwest Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center, Inc., which wrote a successful funding proposal to the Pennsylvania Hardwood Development Council for the project.
After completing all three years of the wood-cluster curriculum, a student will have the basic academic and technical skills needed to enter postsecondary programs such as the Cabinetmaking and Millwork and Forest Technology programs at Penn College, said Glenn R. Spoerke, curriculum development specialist.
"The curriculum developed as a result of the project is a first step in providing the Pennsylvania hardwood industry with the employees necessary to keep pace with a global economy," he said.
Approximately 30 high school students at pilot-program sites statewide will use the curriculum when it is completed. The sites have been identified by the Northwest Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center.
The Wood Industry Cluster project will team Penn College with teachers from across the state, who will write and review curriculum for the core requirements. The initiative is scheduled to be completed by Sept. 30.