APRIL 2019 Member Spotlight-Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center

Briana Tomack

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

APRIL 2019 Member Spotlight-Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center

The Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center is a part-time career and technology center located in Latrobe, Westmoreland County. The CTC serves over 550 students from three public school districts: Greater Latrobe, Derry Area and Ligonier Valley. EWCTC offers 15 programs in one of five career clusters—Automotive, Construction, Communications and Information Technology, Manufacturing and Services. Students can obtain nationally recognized certification in 13 of our 15 programs. At EWCTC we believe that high levels of both academic knowledge and technical skills are vital to student achievement. As educators it is our business to create opportunities for students and to provide the support needed for success. Effective interpersonal skills are essential to success in all aspects of life. It is our belief that the responsibility for improving student achievement is shared by students and teachers and is actively supported by parents and the business community. It is our goal to focus on rigor, relevance and relationships.

EWCTC offers highly technical programs that provide the challenge and rigor required to compete in the workforce. Secondly, nearly 50% of our students go on to pursue post-secondary education. Because of this, many opportunities are available for students to earn college credits while still enrolled in their CTC program! The choice to attend post-secondary education is completely up to our students. Upon graduation, most of our students are industry certified and obtain employment immediately out of high school. Every year, our placement rate for students is 95% or better. This means that our graduates are either employed, attending post-secondary school, or have enlisted into the armed forces. Over the past few years, EWCTC has been recognized as one of the highest achieving part-time Career and Technology Centers in the state.

Mission
All students will complete a rigorous, relevant program that equips them with the knowledge and real world skills necessary to succeed in both post-secondary education and 21st century careers.

Vision
Our school will...
*Exemplify the changing expectations of business and industry through advanced technical training and academic skills
*Emphasize the need for students and staff to be active lifelong learners
*Recognize the strengths and potential of each student to achieve higher standards
*Continually develop partnerships with post-secondary, business, and industry

Our students will...
*Graduate with a well-defined career plan that includes postsecondary training opportunities
*Demonstrate sophisticated technical knowledge with real world application
*Apply critical thinking and problem solving skills in the workplace
*Demonstrate high-level communication skills and a positive work ethic

Shared Values
We believe...
*High levels of both academic knowledge and technical skills are vital to student achievement.
*As educators it is our business to create opportunities for students and to provide the support needed for success.
*Effective interpersonal skills are essential to success in all aspects of life.
*The responsibility for improving student achievement is shared by students and teachers and is actively supported by parents and the business community.

What benefits do you see for the school as a member of the Chamber?
"Having EWCTC be a member of the Chamber contributes to our mission by connecting the school to local business and industry. These connections ultimately provide opportunities to our students in the form of guest speakers, job shadows, internships and Cooperative Education placements. In many cases, these opportunities for students in high school evolve into careers following graduation. " says Todd Weimer, Admisistrative Director.

How long have you/your organization been a Chamber member?

"As the Administrative Director of EWCTC, I have been on the Chamber Board for three years. Mrs. Bowers did the same as my predecessor. EWCTC has been a member of the Chamber for many years."