PA L&I Highlights Importance of Skilled Employees During Tour of Lehigh Career & Technical Institute

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Schnecksville, PA – Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Deputy Secretary for Workforce Development Eileen Cipriani today visited Lehigh Career & Technical Institute (LCTI), where high school students get skilled training that Lehigh Valley employers need.

“Pennsylvania businesses want skilled workers that schools like LCTI provide,” said Cipriani. “Career and technical centers combine a classroom education with hands-on training on industry-standard equipment that employers must have to grow and thrive.”

Today’s visit also highlighted Governor Tom Wolf’s PAsmart initiative, which includes $30 million. The recently announced competitive grants will encourage partnerships with private industry throughout Pennsylvania on job training and to support science and technology education in fast growing careers. The governor also secured a $10 million increase in state funding for CTCs this year.

Cipriani toured LCTI’s career and technical education program labs including Precision Machine Tool Technology, Exercise Science & Rehabilitation Services, and Supply Chain Management & Logistics Technology. She also visited the IT Academy and met with students learning to build webpages, personal computers, and computer networks.

“We thank Deputy Secretary Cipriani for her initiative to visit and tour LCTI, which is one of the country’s premier career and technical schools,” LCTI Executive Director Thomas Rushton said.

“Our mission is workforce development and the quality of our programs is directly related to our close relationship with our business and industry partners. The value and future of career and technical education has never been more important to our region, state and country.”

LCTI is Pennsylvania’s largest career and technical school, offering more than 45 skills-based programs of study, as well as academic instruction for approximately 2,700 ninth through 12th-grade students from Lehigh County’s nine public school districts. LCTI also offers industry-relevant training and credentials for working adults.

For more information about pursuing an education and career in Pennsylvania at any stage of life, visit PAsmart.