Education & Training Center at Pitt-Titusville

Goal: $3,000.00

Specific Need

The Pitt-Swanson School of Engineering, Manufacturing Assistance Center (MAC) at the Education & Training Center at Pitt-Titusville seeks scholarship support for adults to complete training programs in Introduction to Basic Machining Processes, Introduction to CNC Operations and Theory, and/or Introduction to Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing. Courses are offered in daytime six-week sessions or evening 15-week sessions.

The MAC seeks to cover the gap in tuition assistance that is available through various federal, state, local and scholarship funding sources so adults can receive training or begin upskilling in the manufacturing field in northwestern Pennsylvania with little or no out-of-pocket costs. Our recruiter works with each student prior to enrolling to determine funding eligibility and what, if any, cost can be expected out of pocket.

Mission

The MAC is a partner at ETC, which is dedicated to the development of workforce opportunities in Northwestern Pennsylvania. ETC is a unique model that prioritizes student career paths and sets them on the road to success.

ETC’s partners include Manchester Bidwell Corporation, Northern Pennsylvania Regional College, Pitt-Titusville, and Pitt School of Dental Medicine.

Profile

Since its inception in Titusville in August 2021, the MAC has had a 43% completion rate with 103 people receiving a certificate in basic machining, 75 individuals receiving a certificate in CNC operations, and 8 individuals receiving a certificate in computer aided design and manufacturing. Students receive information in soft skills so they are ready to enter the workforce after completing the courses and most students receive interviews and many have job offers before their completion ceremony or shortly thereafter.

Over the past two years, the MAC has expanded to provide training to high school students who were not able to attain a seat at a vocational school or who decided to enter a manufacturing career. Through partnerships with two local school districts, students can receive training and those students who complete a full-time, full-semester program complete a three-week externship with local manufacturers. With this partnership, 29 students enrolled and completed our CNC course. Through the externship program, local manufacturers can watch the students in the roles and determine if they would like to hire them upon graduating high school. Younger adults who are looking for a career are also hearing about the program’s success and electing to enroll. Having trained machinists will not replace the aging workforce, but providing a pipeline of qualified employees allows time for knowledge transfer before the experienced machinists retire.