Summit illustrates benefits of schools' pre-apprenticeship programs

Workforce Development at Penn College welcomed scores of school administrators, counselors and teachers Tuesday to its 2019 Pre-Apprenticeship Summit, where educators learned how to prepare today's high school students for the in-demand, high-skilled careers of tomorrow. A full agenda covered various facets of pre-apprenticeships – what they are, the benefits of integration into the secondary curriculum, and how they can pave students' path to both college and career. Featured speakers at the Thompson Professional Development Center event were Eric Ramsay, director of the Apprenticeship and Training Office, Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry; Christina Herman, Career Ready specialist for the state Department of Education; and Stephen Herzenberg, executive director of the Keystone Research Center. Also presenting was Ross A. Berger, a client development specialist at the college.

– Photos by Cindy Davis Meixel, writer/photo editor

 

Shannon M. Munro, vice president for workforce development, welcomes a full house to the PDC.

Opening remarks are delivered by Michael J. Reed, vice president for academic affairs/provost.

Ramsay hones in on the topic: “What is pre-apprenticeship?”

Intent listening by attendees, including Penn College alumnus Orion Behrer (right), human resources manager at West Pharmaceutical Services

Michele Edwards, human resources manager at First Quality Enterprises, the summit’s sponsor and a participant in the college's apprenticeship program, discusses “Why industry is engaged in pre-apprenticeship.”

Herzenberg, executive director at Keystone Research Center, talks with Munro. His presentation addressed the variety of high school pre-apprenticeships.

The day's agenda also offered ample opportunity for networking as enjoyed here by Victoria Smith (left), cooperative education teacher/career and internship coordinator-healthcare career exploration program, Hershey High School, and Nicole G. Beerman, Penn College admissions counselor, diversity initiatives.

Counselors converse: Spring Grove Area High School’s Stephen Bischof and Sayre Area High School’s Stacy Richmond.