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Partnership with GACTC creates Pathways for Regional Growth

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and the Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center (GACTC) have collaborated to help better serve Altoona residents and the surrounding region. The two institutions recently signed three additional articulation agreements allowing students to transfer credits earned from GACTC to associate degrees in Business Management, Healthcare Information Specialist, and Medical Assisting Technology at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College.

These agreements allow GACTC graduates the ability to apply a specific number of credits to Penn Highlands’ associate degrees. These agreements have established guidelines that will help students achieve their degree in the most cost-effective and timely manner possible.

With the addition of these agreements, there are eight articulation agreements in place between GACTC and Penn Highlands Community College. These program-to-program agreements include:

• Administrative Office Specialist to A.A.S. in Business Management (12 credits)
• Architectural Drafting and Design Technology to A.A.S. in Architectural/Civil: CAD and Design Technology (18 credits)
• Computer Technology to A.A.S. in Information Technology: Cyber Security (10 credits)
• Computer Technology to A.A.S. in Information Technology: Server Administration (10 credits)
• Computer Technology to A.A.S. in Information Technology: Network Administration (6 credits)
• Medical Assistant to A.A.S. in Healthcare Information Specialist (15 credits)
• Medical Assistant to A.A.S. in Medical Assisting Technology (10 credits)
• Welding to A.A.S. in Welding Technology (10 credits)

“We are committed to helping students find easy-to-navigate career pathways,” said Dr. Walter Asonevich, College President. “These agreements provide students with confidence in knowing their credits earned at the local career and technology center are transferable to an associate degree program.”

The Pennsylvania Highlands Blair Center is located in the Logan Valley Mall. The College has additional locations throughout the Southern Alleghenies region in Cambria, Huntingdon, and Somerset counties.

College provides Workforce Training to meet Regional Needs

Workforce Development at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College provided thirty-two employer-driven training programs across the Southern Alleghenies during the 2016-2017 academic year. These trainings ranged from one day to seven-month sessions. According to Larry Brugh, Dean of Career Services and Workforce Development, this number includes trainings the College managed as a Workforce and Economic Development Network (WEDnetPA) partner.

During that period, the College facilitated WEDnetPA training valued at $257,965 for twenty-four companies in the region. WEDnetPA training focuses on targeted industry clusters in Pennsylvania:

• Advanced Materials and Diversified Manufacturing
• Agriculture and Food Production
• Bio-medical, Building, and Construction
• Business and Financial Services
• Energy
• Healthcare, Information, and Communications Services
• Logistics and Transportation
• Lumber, Wood, and Paper

For the current 2017-2018 academic year, the College has a WEDnetPA allocation of $300,000 to support employee training for eligible companies.

Julie Davis, the College’s Workforce Education Manager, designs training programs in consultation with the employer to improve employee productivity and effectiveness. Recent trainings included a range of transferable or soft skills to highly technical skills. Industry experts lead trainings either on-site or at one of the College’s regional locations.

Stoystown Tank and Steel recently had training dealing with hazardous communication, confined space, welding, and electrical safety. Afterwards, Stoystown Tank and Steel Secretary/Treasurer, Claire Zufall, observed that the trainings helped make their manufacturing facility a safer place to work. Stoystown Tank and Steel has used the WEDnetPA program for a number of years.

“One of the College’s highest priorities is our work with business, industry, and workforce and economic development partners across the region. We work to identify and respond to their education and training needs,” stated Dr. Walter Asonevich, President of Penn Highlands Community College.

Both Workforce Development and Career Services staff meet with company reps to discuss the full range of employer training needs throughout the region. The College helps to determine eligibility for training funds, assistance with needs assessment, delivery of standard or customized training, and the recruitment of students or graduates for jobs and internships.

In addition to these services, regional employees seeking professional development or certification for personal benefit can do so through Continuing Education (non-credit) opportunities or the College’s credit-based academic programs.

Blair Center to offer One-Day ServSafe Certification Course

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is bringing a One-Day ServSafe Certification course to its Blair Center this December. This certification is for those looking at, or working in, an occupation where food handling is essential.

The certification course will occur on Monday, December 18^th, from 8:30am to 4:30pm. It will occur at the College’s Blair Center, in the Logan Valley Mall next to Macy’s.

The certification is 15 hours, and includes 7.5 hours of self/home study prior to the date of this one-day course. You must sign an affidavit the day of the course stating that you have participated in 7.5 hours of home study prior to taking the course.

This certification meets PA licensure guidelines. A textbook must be purchased and is available at the College bookstore. A valid photo ID is needed for the exam.

To register for this certification or for more information, please contact Penn Highlands Continuing Education at 814.262.3815 or continuinged@pennh.25comm.com.

Blair teams with Because We Care Foundation for Stuffed Animal Drive

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Blair Center partnered with the Because We Care Foundation, in conjunction with the Altoona Police Department and UPMC Altoona, to collect stuffed animals throughout October.

Penn Highlands Blair collected nearly 30 stuffed animals, which will be provided to young patients undergoing difficult and/or painful procedures at UPMC Altoona.

Veterinary Assistant Info Session coming to Richland Campus

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will be holding an information session for individuals interested in the College’s Veterinary Assistant program. The session will take place in the Large Group Instruction (LGI) room, located in the Workforce Education Center, on the College’s Richland Campus. This information session will take place on Thursday, December 7th, beginning at 6pm.

This session will cover the details of the Veterinary Assistant program, including all of the topics discussed in class, clinical objectives, and more. Instructor, and retired veterinarian, Dr. Regina Allen will be on-hand to provide an overview of the program and to answer any questions individuals might have. Information will also be provided on the clinical externship opportunities available in the program.

Veterinary Assistant classes will be offered in the spring and will cost $750. Those interested in registering for spring classes are highly encouraged to attend this information session. This session will also cover the various payment options to get you started on this exciting new career.

This event is open to the public. If you have any questions or would like to register for the information session, please contact Continuing Education at 814.262.3815 or continuinged@pennh.25comm.com.