Harrisburg, PA – On Tuesday, July 24, 2018, Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Deputy Secretary for Technology and Innovation Sheri Collins joined representatives from Reading Area Community College (RACC), Johnstown Area Regional Industries (JARI), Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center, and other partners to provide an update on Governor Wolf's Manufacturing PA initiative, which supports Pennsylvania's manufacturing community through strategic partnerships while emphasizing job training to career pathways.

Bonnie Spayd, RACC's executive director of workforce & economic development says, "RACC will use the Training to Careers Grant to develop an applied training program based on the needs of regional manufacturing employers. The program is intended to provide the necessary skills needed to work in a production environment as well as a greater understanding of the products produced, the use and benefit of the products to society, competitive pay and upward mobility opportunities that exist in manufacturing companies."

For more information on training programs at RACC's Schmidt Training & Technology Center, call 610-372-4721 ext. 5176.

Photo Caption: Bonnie Spayd, RACC's executive director of workforce & economic development and Rhonda Hudak, RACC's director of grant development/title IX coordinator present an update on Governor Wolf's Manufacturing PA initiative.

Reading Area Community College (RACC) and the Schmidt Training and Technology Center (STTC) have been awarded a grant totaling $143,000 from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) under the Pennsylvania Manufacturing Training-to-Career Grant Program. With this grant, RACC and its participating industry partners will develop a ‘Training-to-Career’ program focusing on young people (ages 17-24) to provide access to knowledge and skills relevant to local manufactures. The program will teach basic level production skills, along with workplace behaviors, resume writing and interviewing skills.  

This is an intense program during which participants are expected to attend full-time classes, five days a week for six weeks. Upon successful completion, all participants are guaranteed an interview with the core partners and/or companies affiliated with the Workforce Development Board. With successful funding, the first cohort is scheduled to enroll in fall 2018. In the inaugural year, all tuition charges for participants will be waived. Applications will be accepted beginning summer 2018.

Current participating industry partners include Berks Workforce Development Board, Brentwood Industries, Carpenter Technology, Cambridge-Lee Industries, Custom Processing Services, Rm Palmer, R-V Industries and Sweet Street Desserts. Additional local manufactures are encouraged to participate in this effort. Please contact Mike Salute at msalute@racc.edu for more information.

RACC and the STTC have also received a $7,500 grant from American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), the National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers (NCATC) and the Arconic Foundation for their Creating Connections for Manufacturing Communities with Community Colleges initiative. RACC and the STTC have been selected as one of nine Community Colleges in the Nation recognized as leaders in advanced manufacturing training and education. The nine Community College cohort will develop a “tool kit” of best practices needed for manufacturers to transition their businesses into the 4th Industrial Revolution; Industry 4.0 Smart Factory. The grant will give RACC and the STTC the opportunity to become a leader in offering cutting edge Cyber Physical training and education programs and credentials.

For more information about RACC and the programs offered at the Schmidt Training and Technology Center, call 610.372.4721, or email jvecchio@racc.edu.