Working towards a future career or aspiration does not need to begin post-graduation. Students can utilize the various academies and courses provided by the Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) and the Beaver County Career & Technology Center (BCCTC) to help advance the skill sets, experiences and credits needed for their future careers.
There are various academies offered through CCBC. This includes the Aviation Academy, STEM Academy, Criminal Justice Academy, Mascaro Construction Academy, Health Academy and the Education Academy. All academies provided lead students towards the classes, experiences and pathways they need to succeed. The Health Academy and Education Academy are the most popular amongst current students. The Health Academy focuses on healthcare occupations such as nursing and radiology. The Education academy focuses on the expectations and requirements of various education fields, like early childhood education.
“[I took the education academy] to see if early education is something I want to do, and to get my freshman year credits out of the way,” Brianne Casto (11), Education Academy student, said.
There are a plethora of programs offered through the BCCTC, but they all can be narrowed down into six categories: “Advanced Manufacturing,” “Art, Design and IT,” “Construction and Building Trades,” “Healthcare medical,” “Service” and “Transportation and Distribution.” Advanced Manufacturing includes welding and machine tool technology programs that engage students in hands-on education and skill-building scenarios.
“The program helps you learn the basics about welding so you can go directly into the field after you graduate instead of learning on the job or taking extra schooling,” Trista Somerville (12), welding student, said.
Art, Design, and IT include business information systems, commercial arts, graphic arts and printing programs that help to enhance the creativity and mind-sets of those interested in the fields offered.
“[BCCTC programs are] really good if you don’t know what you’re going for,” Beau DeThomas (12), IT student, said. “Everywhere needs computers and it gives you a little of everything.”
Construction and Building trades include carpentry, electrical occupations, HVAC-R and Masonry/Bricklaying programs that prepare students for the workforce and the challenges they may face on site. The Healthcare Medical program includes healthcare occupations and veterinary assistant programs that educate students on the needed materials and provide them with the skills they need.
“I chose [the veterinary program] because I love animals and I’ve wanted to work with them since I was little,” Emma Ward (11), veterinary technician student, said.
Service includes cosmetology, culinary arts and greenhouse landscape programs that utilize first-hand experiences to guide their students towards excellence.
“I just always loved to cook and it is something I’ve always been interested in,” Robert Baucan (12), culinary arts student, said. “ I’ve always wanted to go into a culinary field and own a business or work somewhere where there is business.”
Transportation and Distribution includes automotive technology, collision repair technology and logistics and material handling programs that immerse students in the careers they hope to partake in after graduation. No matter the path students choose to take, each class taken and experience has advanced their education and career goals.