Much more than a great technical training center
BCTC a hub of the community
The Bedford County Technical Center is much more than a place to go for training. Surely, it is that, working with students from Bedford County school districts to help develop real-world workforce skills that will contribute to a healthy economy. But it is also a major force helping to forge the county’s economic future as well as its quality of life.
“The BCTC is a true community resource,” said Director David DiPasquale, “Many adults in the region have taken advantage of the outstanding training available here.”
The center offers a wide array of services to the county’s workforce, including:
- Helping companies upgrade the skills of their workers.
- Helping displaced workers acquire the skills they need to land employment.
- Working with company leaders to develop programs that meet the current future needs of the business community.
- Maintaining a meaningful dialogue with business, industry, the economic development community and educators throughout the county to respond to real workforce needs.
Working together with the Allegany College of Maryland, the BCTC staff continues to expand its offerings in the Workforce Development and Continuing Education Center.
“We seek solutions,” said DiPasquale. “This year – to meet the ever-changing needs of the regional workforce – the training center started to offer courses in computer numerical control (CNC), motor control and troubleshooting, pneumatics, hydraulics, and more. These options were developed in response to requests for training from both the Bedford County and Southern Alleghenies Regional Manufacturing Consortiums.”
Giving back to the community is always a top priority at the BCTC.
“The BCTC works with more than 60 community and educational-based organizations,” said DiPasquale. “Sharing our facility for important events is a vital part of our commitment tot eh community.”
Examples of community spirit are plentiful. For example, this past Christmas, the center’s Culinary Department volunteered to cook 450 pounds of turkey for the dinner supported by local businesses.
“Just recently, our building construction students and teacher partnered with the Tenely Park Board, Bedford Reinforced Plastics and Structural Fiberglas to construct new picnic tables for the park,” DiPasquale explained.
This year the BCTC opened its new Agri-science and Biotechnology facility to help support the development of a workforce for the future of those industries.
“This program is one of the major reasons the local school districts were able to add on to the BCTC,” said DiPasquale. “It could not have happened without the support of the community. Numerous business and community leaders were behind this fascinating project. The program area and curriculum were designed from input by local business people like Greg Krug or Lampire Biological Labs. It is one of the finest and most up-to—date training facilities in Pennsylvania. Our students are very fortunate to have such a great training facility. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, biotechnology is a fast-growing industry where jobs are predicted to increase.”
Hands on learning are at the core of the BCTC’s educational philosophy, and all of its programs demonstrate the commitment to real-world experiences.