A ribbon cutting and open house recently showcased new equipment to be used by students in the advanced manufacturing training program at Lehigh Carbon Community College, Schnecksville.

The equipment was purchased through the Pennsylvania Advanced Training and Hiring program.

Students will now be able to develop technical skills sought by businesses in the areas of industrial, electrical, mechanical, programmable logic controller and robotics.

LCCC President Dr. Ann Beiber, Executive Director of PATH grants Michael Salute, and Vice President of Academic Services and Student Development Dr. Thomas Meyer addressed business leaders and guests attending the ceremony.

“We are fortunate to have received a Department of Labor grant which has provided nearly half-a-million dollars of equipment and supplies encompassing robots and electrical mechanical technology,” Beiber stated. “This will expand the technical training capabilities of our PATH manufacturing certificate program to give students greater in depth experience.”

She said the PATH manufacturing certificate is designed to develop student’s technical skills so they can enter the work force in less than one year in a position that is more than just a job.

“The PATH certificate also gives many of our students a solid entry point into higher education because the credentials they earn led directly into our associate degree programs in manufacturing,” Beiber said.

“Locally our manufacturing industries have strongly supported this program,” she stated. “This commitment has helped shape our programs and create a talent pipeline in the Lehigh Valley.”

Salute said they have invested two and half million dollars to date revitalizing the college’s training and learning infrastructure.

“We have developed and launched over 30 career pathways to train our students for sustaining wage jobs,” Salute said.

“Locally, we recognized our grant funding has enabled LCCC to launch over 160 career pathways, remodel over 1500 square feet of classrooms and purchased an excess over $400,000 in training equipment,” he said.

“Through this grant our community colleges are committing considerable resources to study and implement the best practices that connect our curriculum to the local economy,” Salute said. “I am confident the grants investments along with LCCC leadership and participation will make improved employment outcomes for an increasing number of students a reality for many years to come.”

Meyer said a key element of the PATH program’s success is the relationships that have been built with local employers.

During the event LCCC also recognized industry partners who support the development of the PATH manufacturing programs to ensure a qualified workforce in our region.

Some of the partners who were recognized included Ken Borger, Lutron Electronics Company Inc.; Tom Gombos, Mack Trucks Inc.; Ralie Kubat, B Braun Medical Inc.; Richard McMahon, Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc.; Scott Palochik, Enterprise Systems Partners Inc., and Kash-yap Patel, Fisher Clinical Scientific Inc.