Ciresi applauds the nearly $147,000 state investment in the area’s career and technical schools
Southeast Delegation February 9, 2024 | 3:09 PM
ROYERSFORD, Feb. 8 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, announced today that the Western Montgomery Career and Technology Center has been awarded a grant of $85,000 and the Pottstown School District a grant of $61,949 by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the purchase of new equipment to help train students in skills required for high-demand occupations.
“I believe it is critical that all students develop the critical skills they will need to thrive in the highly competitive 21st century economy, and no students are more in need of best-in-class opportunities than our career and technical students,” Ciresi said. “These grants will help provide these students with the skills and hands-on experience with first-class equipment they will need to build careers in high-demand, high-paying fields. By providing a world-class education to Pennsylvania’s career and technical students, Pennsylvania is ensuring its own economic growth for years to come. I applaud the state’s investment in Montgomery County’s workforce.”
“We want to thank the governor, PDE, and all of our legislators for supplying this grant funding in the state budget,” said Dave Livengood, administrative director for WMCTC. “Career and Technical Education is critical to making Pennsylvania a place where businesses want to relocate because we can provide a highly trained workforce to meet their company needs. At WMCTC, we want to allow our students to learn with not only industry standard equipment but also high-quality equipment. This funding has helped us achieve that goal.”
“With the implementation of a Wire EDM, WMCTC students will be familiar with the technology as they step into the workforce or the next level of education,” added WMCTC Precision Machining Instructor Andrew Klein. “The how and when to utilize the technology to increase efficiencies and capabilities within their chosen career paths will afford their firms sound gains and processes. This will ensure local businesses, state industries, and national manufacturing companies stay capable and competitive in the world economy. The experience gained on the Accutex Wire EDM will long serve students of the WMCTC Precision Machining Technology curriculum years past graduation.”
Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2024-25 budget proposal includes more than $121 million for career and technical education and $15 million for career and technical education equipment grants.