Brace yourself for the "silver tsunami." That's a term used to describe the predicted dearth of workers in the future as the current workforce ages into retirement. Through an innovative initiative, the Lancaster County Career and Technology Center (LCCTC), is equipping students to prepare for their future.
For more than 50 years, LCCTC has provided opportunities for high school and adult education, career training and workforce development. The Pathways to Careers and Higher Education program just launched for the 2021-22 school year and will build a bridge between secondary and postsecondary education. It serves as an umbrella over the various postsecondary opportunities available to students, said Amber Kreger, director of higher and continuing education.
"This is a way to better serve our community of students by offering a pathway from what they are learning in high school directly into what they will learn in our adult program," she explained. "The students are already in the same buildings as our adult learners. They cross paths often, so we thought, 'Why not offer a program where the students can benefit from what we already do here?'"
Under Pathways, students may earn Technical Institute in the High School credits, receive postsecondary credit transfers, participate in dual enrollment or earn credits through the state Students Occupationally and Academically Ready (SOAR) program. Pathways will allow students in senior-year programs the opportunity to accumulate credits that will follow them into higher education with partnering institutions. Higher learning partners include all community colleges throughout Pennsylvania as well as Delaware Valley University, Pennsylvania College of Technology and more. Students will also be able to work toward earning their Associate in Specialized Technology (AST) degree.
"I'm really excited about what we're doing with our associate degree programs," said Mike Moeller, director of curriculum. LCCTC allows credit transfers for students in its high school automotive technology program into its AST associate degree program, and plans are in the works to add the school's other two associate degree programs - veterinary technology and dental hygiene - to the credit transfer program as well.
Moeller noted that programs like the ones offered at LCCTC are meeting the needs of today's employers while also serving the students. "Over the last few years, schools have really begun to the see the value of career and technology education as a way to earn a great living and learn skills, but with very minimal college debt," he said. "There are so many opportunities for jobs in these fields as well."
Kreger agreed, adding that Pathways allows students to come in with a specific plan and the end result in mind. "There is a set goal and finish line," she said. "That goal may change slightly as they go through their program, but there is a finish line, and we are offering students ways to get there."
For more information on LCCTC or Pathways, visit https://lancasterctc.edu.
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