Educational Discussions: LCCTC is growing!!!

Since the 2012-2013 school year, LCCTC has grown by nearly 25%. Our numbers have from grown from approximately 350 students to 450 students currently. We serve grades 10-12. We accept only students from the 8 Lawrence County public school districts. We believe several reasons exist that explain our growth.

            We believe that LCCTC provides a unique opportunity. We are one of 18 comprehensive career and technical centers across the state of Pennsylvania. The remaining 70 are half-time. By being a comprehensive school we can maximize our educational resources and expand learning opportunities. Students are here for the full day. No time is lost to multiple transitions to and from the home schools. We are able to replicate the world of work. Students can complete projects from start to finish. Our students benefit from a block academic schedule that allows for more continuous instruction and less transition between class periods.

            We believe the skilled trades are an expanding opportunity. Across the United States some 3-4 million skilled trades jobs remain unfilled. These jobs have competitive wages and benefits. Many have quarterly bonus structures and other incentives.

            It is time to revisit the cost benefit analysis of a skilled trades position. As of 2012, college graduates left with an average of $29,400.00 in student loans. The class of 2015 is the most indebted class in our nation’s history. The average starting salary for a college graduate is $45,000.00. Before they do anything, they have to pay $300.00-$500.00 per month towards student loans. An average starting wage for a carpenter is $44,000.00. The average starting wage for a machinist is $40,000.00. The average starting salary for an electrician is $50,000.00. Our ctc graduates earn a competitive wage and have no debt.

            We are responding to the needs of the community. We have over 70 students in our Health Assistant program. We have reopened our welding program. We have started a veterinarian technician assistant program. We are one of three career centers in the state to offer an oil and gas program. These high demand programs compliment the rest of our CTE offerings (automotive technology, collision repair, cosmetology, commercial art, management information systems, electrical occupations, machine tool technology, masonry, and construction trades).

            Career and technical education is sometimes seen as a lesser education. CTE is a different education, and certainly no less rigorous than any traditional program. Certainly we would expect our certified nurse aides to follow a doctor’s orders, our machinists to program CNC lathes to perform tasks within +/- 0.00025 mm of tolerance, the pitch of our roof needs to allow rain to flow or distribute weight, and our concrete block walls need to be square. The examples are endless. The actual lexiled reading levels of CTE literature are higher than that of the literature Keystone exam.

            Graduates of LCCTC are truly college and career ready. Graduates leave the program with a high school diploma as well as industry certifications. Students at LCCTC can earn 6 college credits (3 in English and 3 in social studies) through our dual enrollment program.

            Lawrence County CTC is unique! Lawrence County CTC is growing! Lawrence County CTC graduates are college AND career ready!