Friday, March 5, 2021

Schuylkill Technology Center Awarded Grant Funds to Purchase New Training Equipment

On Friday, Schuylkill Technology Center near Frackville announced the awarding of $47,486 in matching grant funds to be utilized for the purchase of equipment for the Automotive Technology, Health Careers, Logistics Technology and Welding Programs.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education offers annual equipment grants to career and technical educational providers as a means of supporting the mission of preparing CTE students to be both college and career ready.”

The funding helps STC purchase equipment to train on like a new plasma cutter and an ECG simulator.

"The ECG Simulator allows students the opportunity to apply what they have learned about an electrocardiogram to the actual practice of attaching the electrodes and leads and obtaining a reading. The simulator provides hands-on experience and various scenarios that the students did not have prior to obtaining this technology," said Michelle Chicora, Health Careers Instructor.

STC’s newest program, Logistics Technology also benefited from a competitive equipment grant. 

According to Logistics Instructor, Ms. Nicole Lubinsky, the Pengate Package Handling System will give students “an engaging learning environment where they can experience real-world challenges and receive real-time feedback in the most realistic virtual warehouse available. This virtual reality forklift simulator will help to enhance confidence, build expertise, and engage learning while practicing safety procedures virtually.” Lastly, an Air Compressor will be purchased with grant funds for the Automotive Technology Program.

Schuylkill Technology Center has also applied for a Supplemental Equipment Grant through the PA Department of Education and if awarded the requisite funds, plans to purchase a CNC Lathe for the Precision Machining Program and a Bake Oven for the Culinary Program. “We are very appreciative of the Department’s commitment to career and technical education,” said Shannon Brennan, Director of STC.

PICTURED: Welding Instructor, Mr. Doug Del Conte, demonstrates how the new plasma cutter works to welding students, Blake Bowers and 11th grade student from and Conlan Maley and 11th grade student from St. Clair, 11th Grade. Also pictured is Ms. Michelle Chicora, Health Careers Instructor, demonstrating the ECG Simulator to Erin Shappell of Pottsville.