DIMOCK - The Susquehanna County Career & Technology Center opened a new building Saturday morning that more than doubles its floor space and will add five new vocational training options for students in the region.
SCCTC Director Alice Davis said to parents attending a grand opening that the new programs will allow students to "stay in the area without having to stay in your house."
Elk Lake Superintendent William Bush said a Gallup poll recently revealed that globally the one thing people wanted more than anything else was "a good job."
"We're responding to that," Mr. Bush said. "One of our goals with each of these programs is does it give your kids economic opportunity?"
The expansion includes a 37,000-square foot addition on the opposite side of the parking lot that faces the career center's previous main entrance.
John Kropcho has been architect on the project since feasibility studies were conducted in 2008 and construction of the $7 million project began in December 2010.
The expansion provides additional space for existing programs, plus room and facilities to accommodate five new education programs.
The new programs, which will be getting their first students Tuesday, are:
n Auto body collision and repair technician. This program trains students to repair automobiles and light trucks.
n Vehicle maintenance and small engine repair technology. This trains students to repair, service, maintain and diagnose problems with small gasoline engines.
n Protective services. This prepares students to perform entry-level duties as a police officer, firefighter, paramedic and other safety services.
n Welding.
A fifth new program to train licensed practical nurses will be launched in 2013.
Current programs offered at SCCTC include automotive technology, carpentry and cabinetmaking, building and property management, business education, cosmetology, health care technology and cooperative education/diversified occupations.
Students at SCCTC are involved in a number of hands-on projects, including the construction of three homes, operating a restaurant, running a branch of the P&G Employees Federal Credit Union and others.
SCCTC is adjacent to Elk Lake High School which is one of seven school districts sending students to the center.
The others distrcits are Blue Ridge, Lackawanna Trail, Montrose Area, Mountain View, Susquehanna Community and Tunkhannock Area.
Contact the writer: bbabker@wcexaminer.com