This document discusses strategies to address the shortage of skilled technical workers in Pennsylvania. It notes that many companies report difficulties finding employees with the necessary skills. Technical programs at local career and technology centers and community colleges can help fill this gap. Reading Area Community College and the Reading Muhlenberg Career and Technology Center work with local businesses to develop programs in high-demand fields like advanced manufacturing. Their technical academy program allows students to earn college credits and certifications while still in high school. The goal is to increase the number of students graduating with skills for in-demand jobs.

1. Filling the Technical
Education Pipeline
April 30, 2013

2. Panel
2
Gerald Witmer
Administrative Director
Aaron Costenbader
Marketing Manager
Dr. Anna Weitz
President

3. Careers in 2 Years: Why?
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
3

4. Careers in 2 Years: Why?
2011 Survey:
–44% of PA manufacturers have open jobs due to a mismatch between
the skills that job seekers have and those required by the job the
company has open (Source: Central Penn Business Journal)
Facts:
–24 of the 30 fastest-growing occupations require education beyond
high school—including those with technical training certifications (Source:
Bureau of Labor & Statistics)
–By 2018, 47 million job openings are projected and one-third of them
will require an associates degree or certificate (Source: Harvard experts)
4

5. Careers in 2 Years: Why?
5

6. Governor’s Manufacturing Advisory Council:
Recommendations
• Talent and Workforce Data:
– 82% of manufacturers report a serious or moderate skills gap in
their employees
– 74% of manufacturers report that the skills gap has negatively
impacted their company’s ability to expand
– 25% of manufacturing workers are 55+
– 7,639 PA manufacturing job openings (June 2012)
6

7. • Highlights:
– Develop an “Adopt a School” Program
– Industry-led standardization of skill needs and curriculum
– Better connect job seekers with job openings
– Expand and better support CTE
– Support proven strategies to increase workforce pipeline
– Create measures and support systems for educators and school
districts
7
Governor’s Manufacturing Advisory Council:
Recommendations

8. Careers in 2 Years: How
• Collaboration
– Reading Area Community College
– Career and Technology schools:
o Berks Career and Technology Center
o Reading Muhlenberg Career and Technology Center
– Business community
8

9. Careers in 2 Years: How
• Welder: $40,000
• Electrician: $43,053
• Draftsman: $35,000
• Machinists: $38,118
• Welding Technology: $43,000
• Mechatronics Engineering Technology: $49,000
9

10. Careers in 2 Years: How
• Robotics & Automation Technology:
– Robotics Technology: $27,000
– Automation Technology: $70,000
• Precision Machining and Machine Shop Technology:
– Precision Machining: $46,000
– Precision Machining Technology: $36,000
• Machine Shop: $39,000
• Electronics Technology: $49,000
• Information Technology: $56,000
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11. Careers in 2 Years: How
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12. Careers in 2 Years: How
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15. Careersin2Years.com 15

16. RMCTC: Overview
• Part Time CTC located in Reading, PA
• Serve 1,200 on ½ day system
• 30 Career & Technical Education Programs
– Engineering & Automation Technology
– Health-Dental Occupations
• Supported by the Reading and Muhlenberg School
Districts
16

17. RMCTC: Overview
• 54% Male, 46% Female
• 72% Latino, 18% Caucasian, 10% African-American
• 85% Economically Disadvantaged
• 42% Poverty
• Transient Population
17

18. Career and Technology Education in PA:
Job Ready PA
• Program Accreditation
• Statewide Curriculum
– Program of Study (POS)
• Teacher Certification
• Student Certification
• Articulation Agreements (SOAR)
• Dual Enrollment (Tech Academy)
• Student Engagement
18

19. Strategic Plan
Goal / KPI
06-07
(Baseline)
07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14
(Goal)
Students receiving the
Pennsylvania Skills
Certificate (NOCTI)
will increase by 5% per
year
33.6% 41.2% 51.8% 55.6% 71.7% 77.8% 61%
Students performing at the
proficient or advanced
level on the PSSA will
increase 2% per year
Reading
31.2%
Math
14.3%
Reading
29.8%
Math
16.9%
Reading
33.7%
Math
22.4%
Reading
30.6%
Math
18.4%
Reading
32.8%
Math
24.3%
Reading
33.7%
Math
28.7%
Reading
43.2%
Math
26.3%
Students completing a
program of study will
increase by 3% per year
(earn job title / earn
PSC / graduate)
25% 37% 41% 44% 65% 63% 43%
Student membership in
CTSO’s will increase by
3% per year
51% 61% 63% 68% 66% 72% 69%
Students attending
post-secondary
programs of study will
increase by 2% per year
32% 37% 46% 37% 39% 48% 44%

20. Careers in 2 Years and RMCTC
• Programs…
– Machine Shop Technology
– Welding & Metal Fabrication
– Electronics & Communication Technology
– Computerized Drafting Technology
– Engineering & Automation Technology (2014-2015)
• Industry-driven
• Teenage-friendly technology
20

21. Technical Academy
21

22. Technical Academy: Student Entrance Requirements
• Grades 10 or 11
• 3.0 overall GPA
• PSSA Math Proficiency
• PSSA Reading Proficiency
• 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
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23. 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!
– Students may earn up to 18 credits. The college credits earned
while at the CTC will be tuition-free.
– All credits earned are completed courses on a college transcript
—establishing the transferability of these courses.
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24. • The Technical Academy Provides:
– Tuition for the final courses taken on the RACC campus may be
subsidized by the CTC and is dependent on state and federal
funding.
– Multiple points of entry and exit
– Opportunity to earn recognized industry certifications and
prepare for jobs that are in high demand.
24
Technical Academy: Get a Jump on College

25. Technical Academy
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26. Technical Academy
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27. • Science and Technology Programs
• Non-credit certificates
• Production Technology Certificate- Production Assembler/Machine Operator
• AMIST 1 Certificate- Entry Level Maintenance Mechanic
• AMIST 2 Certificate- Maintenance Technician
• AMIST 3 Certificate- Robotics- Automation Technician
• AMIST 4 Certificate- Mechatronics Technician
• Building Analyst Certificate- Renewable Energy Auditor
• CNC Machine Operator- Computer Controlled Machine Operator
• Solar PV Installer Certificate- Renewable Energy Technician
• Solar Thermal Installer Certificate- Renewable Energy Technician
• Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator- PA Department of Environmental
Protection Treatment Plant Operator Certificate
27
Reading Area Community College:
Stackable Credentials

28. • Science and Technology Programs
• Credit certificates
– Nanoscience Technology
• Career Track Associate Degrees
– Nanoscience Technology
– Machine Tool Technology
– Mechatronics Engineering Technology
– Technology Studies
28
Reading Area Community College:
Stackable Credentials

29. • Degree Transfer Baccalaureate Agreements
• Nanoscience:
– Millersville University
– Penn State Berks
• Mechatronics:
– Penn State Berks
– Purdue University Calumet
– California State University of PA
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Reading Area Community College:
Stackable Credentials

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Questions?

31. Greater Reading Economic Partnership
(610)376.4237
Pamela@GreaterReading.com
Aaron@GreaterReading.com
Thank You!