Johnstown , PA - Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Executive Deputy Secretary Angela Fitterer today visited Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center (GJCTC) to learn about their high school and adult learning programs, and how their flagship Career in a Year™ program gives adult learners a chance to sharpen their skills and gain experience in a desired career field.
“Career and technical education gives high school students and adult learners alike a chance to gain hands-on experience that can lead them to high-skill, high-wage employment. A quality, educated workforce is vital for our communities and Commonwealth as a whole, and the combination of classroom learning and industry training prepares students to be successful in a competitive workforce,” said Executive Deputy Secretary Angela Fitterer. “Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center teaches students to use their skills and resources to chart their own path and work toward any career field they desire.”
Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center offers a wide variety of programs for high school students to learn about and train for a career upon high school graduation, adult learners seeking employment in their desired industry, and community and business partners looking for post-secondary and specialized training programs to help their employees gain needed educational skills quickly.
“GJCTC is proud of our adult education program offerings. We focus on in-demand occupations ranging from heavy mobile equipment operations to HVAC technicians to practical nursing. All programs lead to a family-sustaining, high-skill, and high-wage career opportunity,” said John Augustine II, Administrative Director for GJCTC. “Not only do students earn nationally recognized industry credentials, they do so in a time frame that puts them in the job market quickly. This is done by our unique delivery method that mirrors the workforce.”
Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center has provided training programs for adults for over 40 years. Their flagship Career in a Year™ program allows adults to complete their education in 6 to 12 months, and many of these programs have articulation agreements with local colleges so students can obtain an associate degree. Opportunities for adult learners at GJCTC include programs such as Heating and Air Conditioning Technology, Mobile Equipment Operations Technology, Electrical Technology, Practical Nursing, and more.
In addition to offering unique opportunities for adults, GJCTC has a diverse selection of high school programs, including early childhood education, which is critically important for young Pennsylvanians. Programs like GJCTC’s Early Childhood Education teach students how to prepare young children for educational success. Throughout the course, students learn how to research, create, and present developmentally appropriate learning material and activities for children through real-world clinical experiences and hands-on opportunities.
Governor Shapiro has proposed a $17.3 million increase in Career and Technical Education in his 2023-24 budget, which includes a $3.3 million increase to the CTE Equipment Grant, $5 million increase to expand CTE programs related to computer science and STEM, and $2 million to partner industry professionals with teachers to help bring the trades back into our classrooms. He is also proposing a $2,500 personal income tax incentive for up to three years for new police officers, nurses, and teachers entering the field.