ICTC STUDENTS ATTEND SEMINARS

Collision Repair Technology Students Attend PPG Training

(May 9, 2008) . . .Under the guidance of Indiana County Technology Center instructor, Mike Miller, the collision repair technology (CRT) students have the opportunity to complete requirements for Blue Level PPG Certification. This year two CRT students met the rigorous requirements to attend the training at the PPG Industries Technical Learning Center which is required for this certification. The students meeting the PPG requirements are Phil Conway, 11 th grade, Marion Center, and Alex Lechner, 11 th grade, Marion Center.

On April 17 and 18, the ICTC students traveled with ICTC instructor, Mr. Mike Miller, to attend a two-day seminar at the Pittsburgh PPG Industries Technical Learning Center. During this seminar, PPG professional technicians instructed the ICTC students. The students received basic theory and hands-on training in repair and refinishing and were critiqued by PPG professionals.

This unique secondary PPG program offered at ICTC is the first program of its kind in the United States. The PPG certification is a professional entry-level certification which gives students at the ICTC the ability to earn their professional certificates while still in high school. The program is rigorous, as all ICTC collision repair students must maintain a “B” average in their CRT program while maintaining good grades, attendance, and discipline at their home schools as well.

“The PPG certification program gives students an opportunity the jump-start into their careers,” Mr. Miller reflected.

Culinary Students Attend Food & Beverage Conference

Imagine becoming the executive chef for the President of the United States! White House executive chef, Chef Walter Scheib was skeptical when the opportunity was presented to him and he didn’t think he had a chance for the job. The story of how he won this prestigious job is just one of the many exciting events that the Indiana County Technology Center’s Culinary Arts students had the opportunity to witness last February 27, 2008.

This is the first year that ICTC’s culinary arts students traveled to The Hilton Harrisburg Hotel for the 2008 Food and Beverage Conference. The conference was an all day event for culinary students to gain insight from three of Pennsylvania’s finest chefs, including Alison Barshak, chef/owner of Alison at Blue Bell; S. Tina Haldeman, executive pastry chef of the Hotel Hershey; and Walter Scheib, former White House executive chef, 1994-2005 and culinary partner of Hershey Entertainment Resorts company. ICTC culinary arts students attended this conference alongside local chefs and college students.

“The Food and Beverage Conference gave our culinary students the opportunity to explore their career and hear successful chefs from around the country discuss the paths they took to success,” stated Chef Bob Piccirillo, ICTC instructor.

The day’s events included cooking demonstrations, personal biographies, and a presentation of contemporary restaurant foods. The information presented at the conference was designed to inform, as well as entertain. Along with gaining new insights into the culinary arts, the participants learned about personal skills and business skills needed to succeed in the food service industry.

ICTC culinary arts students went into this experience with prior knowledge in the food industry and a positive attitude. They left the conference with newly acquired knowledge and appreciation for the food service industry.

During the course of the conference, students learned the level of hard work, dedication, and perseverance needed to achieve goals. While participants sat attentively, the three chefs shared lessons from their experience in the food industry.

“The conference stressed the abilities needed for success. I’m sure it would help future students that are dedicated to pursue a career in the culinary field,” added Kristina Bates, United senior.

ICTC’s culinary arts students would have enjoyed getting right into the demonstrations but the conference didn’t include hands-on activities, however, it proved to be a great learning experience.

For more information on the ICTC, click here.

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