SYMPOSIUM ON TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Welcome

Jon Scott

President and CEO

Greater Reading Economic Partnership

Commitment to Berks County Companies

Commitment to Berks County Companies

• Business retention interviews with 100+ Greater Reading companies:

• 47% identified the lack of necessary skill sets

• 26% identified the lack of technical skills as their hiring challenges

Careers in 2 Years• Collaboration

• Reading Area Community College

• Career and Technology schools:• Berks Career and Technology Center

• Reading Muhlenberg Career and Technology Center

• Business community

Testimonial

Mike Oswald

Supervisor - Process Controls Technicians

East Penn Manufacturing

Where are the Jobs?

Moderator:Edward J. McCann, CEOBerks County Workforce Investment Board

Panel:• Robert Harrop, Vice President Human Resources

East Penn Manufacturing Co. Inc.    

• Gretchen Adams, Director of Talent AcquisitionReading Health System                        

• Frank Heins, Executive Vice PresidentWeidenhammer          

The Need for Technical Education• Rapid growth in computer-

controlled technologies and automation systems

• Deployed in complex networks, blurring the lines between operating and IT systems

• Critical shortage of people to install, maintain, troubleshoot and repair these complex manufacturing systems

+

Tools of the Trade

The Need for Technical Education

Ongoing Opportunities: Process Control Engineer

Design Engineer

Process Control Technician

Electro Mechanical Technicians

Machinists/Toolmakers

Electricians/Mechanics

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• No. of Employees: 6866• Turnover Rate: 21.70%* • Vacancy Rate: 2.20% • No. of Hires in FY13:1461• No. of Applicants received in FY13: 38,158

* 5% higher due to reduction in force

The Need for Technical Education

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Hard to Fill Jobs within Healthcare:• Requiring Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD or MD

• Physicians• Advanced-Level Practitioners

• Physician Assistants• CRNAs (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists)• CRNPs (Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners)• CRNM   (Certified Registered Nurse Midwife)

• Nurse Managers• Clinical Nurse Specialists• Emergency Room, Operating Room and Critical Care RNs• Occupational, Physical and Speech Therapists

The Need for Technical Education

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Hard to Fill Jobs within Healthcare:• Requiring 2 year degree

• Ultrasound Sonographer• Vascular Technologist• Cardiac Ultrasound Technologist• Medical Technologists• Radiologic Technologist (X-Ray Technologist)

The Need for Technical Education

Three Divisions• Commercial System Engineering and product Resale

• Commercial Software Development

• Education Financial Administrative Software

The Need for Technical Education

Technical Education Positions• Network Specialist

• Network Administrator

• Network Engineer

• Customer Service Representative - Network Support Calls

The Need for Technical Education

What are we Doing About it?

Moderator:Dr. Solomon Lausch, Executive Director Berks Business Education Coalition

Panel:• Dr. Anna Weitz, President

Reading Area Community College  

    

• Christopher Spohn, High School PrincipalHamburg Area School District                

PREPARING STUDENTS FOR THE WORKFORCE OF 2014 - 2020A Partnership of Hamburg Area High School and Reading Area Community College

Technical Academy: BCTC, RMCTC & RACC

Accelerated pathway to technical education—preparation for advanced manufacturing, IT, and other high demand technical fields.

• Grades 10 or 11: 3.0 overall GPA

• PSSA Math and Reading Proficiencies

• Students must complete a college prep academic sequence throughout high school

• Successfully complete RACC placement testing prior to taking the final three courses on the RACC campus

Technical Academy: Get a Jump on College

The Technical Academy Provides:• Pathway for developing advanced skills and college credits

toward an associate and/or bachelor’s degree while still in high school, at no cost!

• Opportunity to earn recognized industry certifications and prepare for jobs that are in high demand.

• Students may earn up to 18 RACC credits while at the CTC—tuition-free.

• Tuition for the final courses taken on the RACC campus may be subsidized by the CTC, and is dependent on state and federal funding and possible scholarship funds.

Reading Area Community College:Stackable Credentials

• Multiple points of entry and exit—employment and/or college

• Science and Technology Programs

• Credit certificates• Nanoscience Technology

• Career Track Associate Degrees• Nanoscience Technology (Penn State & Millersville)• Machine Tool Technology• Mechatronics Engineering Technology (Penn State, Purdue

University at Calumet & California University of PA)• Technology Studies (Bloomsburg)

Hamburg Area School District Mission

Mission:The Hamburg Area School District will develop a program that will prepare current (2013-2014) 10th through 12th grade students with the prerequisite skills necessary to be successful in the Careers in Two Years program.  This program will be in place no later than the beginning of the 2014-2015 school year.  This program will be the basis for a model that can be adapted for use in any other Berks County high school.

Current Status• Technical Academy Model

• Project Lead the Way (PLTW) and an Integration Course• Team taught – 2 periods

• 8-9 classes over three years• Advanced mathematics and science along with engineering design

& integration

• Requires summer classes or internship

Moving Forward

• Expand dual enrollment• MET 140 & Digital Electronics• Academic courses

• Offer weighted course status• Technical Academy • Pre-engineering Academy

• Market to parents • Use business partners

Closing the Skill Gap Roundtable Discussion

Gail Landis

Vice President

Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Questions to Guide Discussion• How can we get more students interested in acquiring

technical skills?

• What programs do schools have that presently address technical skill development?

• Once a student is identified how do we cultivate and support technical career pathways?

•  What can business do to create technical career interest?

• Can we better integrate technical skill development within our Higher Education System?

Next Steps for Business & Educators • “Closing the Skill Gap”

• Roundtable Insights: Challenges & Opportunities

 • Workforce Pipeline – Career Awareness

• Evaluate opportunities – Leverage Resources• CHOICES Education Group

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THANK YOU!