Your Chamber’s Business, Education, and Young Americans Committee members toured the Northumberland County Career and Technology Center in Coal Township this week. Center Director, Dr. James Catino mentioned while he was leading this tour that currently nearly 300 students attend the center. While passing the Welding Technology Program he said that the school has developed “a virtual pipeline of the school’s graduates to local employers and Chamber members such as Arcos and Great Dane.”
After the tour, the meeting participants discussed the history and status of vocational education in the Greater Susquehanna Valley. The Northumberland Center marks its 50th anniversary in operation this year. Committee Co-Chair, Dr. Frank Jankowski suggested that “A half-century ago Pennsylvania was merging school districts. Out of these mergers the call for training in specific trades was loud-and-clear. Vo-Techs were the answer to this call.” He concluded that from the impressive start, vocational education saw a dip in acceptance and popularity in the 1990s and early 2000s. Today, career, trade, and vocational education programs are experiencing a resurgence which is apparent at the Northumberland County Career and Technology Center.
Committee members also heard an update on the status of the Young Americans Program, which has begun receiving nominations for the Class of 2026. This year, the Chamber is keenly interested in expanding this program to the schools in eastern and northern Northumberland County. Committee members reviewed various upcoming events and initiatives, including a multi-district career fair, National Education Week essay contest, a Civics Bee, and programs available to facilitate industry tours by students and teachers.
The next meeting of your Chamber’s Business, Education, and Young Americans Committee will be held on November 4th at BTI (the former McCann) located behind the McDonald’s north of Lewisburg. This 9:30 am meeting is being held in conjunction with BTI’s new programs dedication ceremony (see flyer under Member News) being held later that morning. You are warmly invited to attend this meeting and stay for the dedication ceremony.
