ICTC STUDENTS “GET THE EDGE!”

(December 18, 2009)...  How would you like to earn college credits while still enrolled in high school?  Students at the Indiana County Technology Center (ICTC) have three opportunities to “Get the Edge!” and begin receiving college credits now.  ICTC students can take advantage of options such as dual enrollment, articulation agreements and industry certifications.  Students enrolled in Computer Systems Technology, Machining Technology and Welding Technology are earning between three and seven credits from Pennsylvania Highlands Community College.  Carpentry students have the option to dual enroll with Penn College earning up to four credits.  When the students finish the class they receive a college transcript with a grade.  They are able to transfer these credits to any institution which accepts the post secondary credits from PA Highlands.

Since dual enrollment is not yet available for all programs at the ICTC, students also have opportunities to work with colleges through articulation agreements.  Articulation is a process of transition from one educational institution to another.  Articulation agreements are formal, written documents agreed upon by two or more institutions.  ICTC students are able to acquire college credit for being enrolled in one of the technical programs at the Tech Center. ICTC currently has articulation agreements with several post-secondary institutions. Students attending these institutions after graduation are not required to attend classes that they have completed at the ICTC, but they do receive the credit for prior completion.  This helps students and their parents to save both time and money.  The following is a list of ICTC's program areas and articulated post-secondary institutions, Penn College has articulation agreements with Auto Technology, Carpentry, Collision Repair Technology, Computer Systems Technology, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Digital Media Technology, Electrical Occupations, Health Occupations Technology, Machining Technology, Masonry and Welding Technology.  Westmoreland County Community College is in agreement with Computer Systems Technology, Culinary Arts, Digital Media Technology, Graphics & Electronic Media, Health Occupations Technology, Machining Technology and Welding Technology.  Digital Media Technology, Health Occupations Technology and Machining Technology have articulated agreements with Pennsylvania Highlands Community College.  Douglas Education Center has partnered with Cosmetology, Digital Media Technology and Graphics & Electronic Media.  Auto Technology also has opportunities with Community College of Allegheny County and University of Northwestern Ohio, while Culinary Arts has teamed up with IUP Academy of Culinary Arts.

Students can also “Get the Edge!” at the ICTC by earning an industry certification.  Auto Technology (AT) students can earn the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) certification.  This certification allows them to meet ASE standards of quality for the training of automobile technicians.  AT and CRT (Collision Repair Technology) students can earn the S/P2 certification.  This certification is for safety and pollution prevention.  Every employee involved in automobile repair and maintenance, as well as automobile insurance claims, must be trained before entering the workplace on environmental and safety issues.  CRT students can also graduate with the PPG Certification (Blue Level).  The PPG certification will enable students to perform qualified PPG refinish repairs in collision centers that are part of the PPG Lifetime Paint Performance Guarantee program. 

The Pennsylvania Builders Association Endorsement is awarded to Masonry and Electrical Occupations students who have successfully achieved either competent or advanced on their PA Skills Certificate Examination.  Carpentry, Electrical Occupations, and Masonry students can earn the OSHA certification in the construction industry and also a Bobcat certification.  Also earning the Bobcat Certification are students in Welding Technology and Machining Technology (MT).  In addition, MT students earn an OSHA certification in the general industry.  National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) credential, earned by Machining Technology students, is the metalworking industry’s only skills certificate that is based on national standards developed under procedures accredited by the American National Standards Institute.  The ICTC is an Accredited Testing Facility through the American Welding Society (AWS).  Students enrolled in Welding Technology can gain their certifications by demonstrating welding proficiency in a variety of positions on various materials.

Computer Systems Technology students that are skilled in computer repair, hardware installation, configuration and trouble shooting, preventative maintenance, operating system fundamentals and memory management can earn the CompTia A+ Certification.  The PrintED Certification, administered by the Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation (GAERF) is a national accreditation program, based on industry standards, for graphic communication courses of study.  Graphics & Electronic Media students who earn this certification bring to the workplace an equivalent to six months of on-the-job training.

The Culinary Arts program is certified by the American Culinary Federation Secondary Certification Committee receiving the ACF Certified Graduate Certificate and also an opportunity to earn the ServSafe Certification.  Students in Health Occupations that pass both parts of the nurse aide exam will be listed on the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry.  Students in Health Occupations can also elect to take the Pharmacy Technicians Certification.  A student completing 1250 hours in Cosmetology is eligible to take their practical and theory exam through the PA State Board of Cosmetology.  After passing both exams they earn their Pennsylvania State Cosmetology License. 

As you can see, students at the ICTC definitely have the competitive edge to jump start their college transcripts.  As they prepare to compete in a global economy, their preparedness will put them ahead of the other job seeking candidates.  For more information, please visit our website at www.ictc.ws.

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