Educational Programs

Days of Economic Understanding

Programs are conducted for area students by area business and industry leaders to teach the principles of the free enterprise system. Elementary students learn about marketing products and services to consumers. Middle School students discuss educational and career paths, and the element of risk in decision making. High School students further explore the principles of marketing.

Economic Exchange Day

Held annually for economics students at area high schools. This “real-world” exercise is designed to show how community infrastructure development impacts the local economy.

“Directions” Program - Presented by Pace Airo Division

“Directions” is designed to help students understand that The decisions they make today can make a significant impact on future opportunities – for education, career and potential income.

Career Days

Students have the opportunity to meet with professional career representatives to discuss specific aspects of their profession. Interview Workshops Interview Workshops allow students to practice their job interview skills through actual interviews with local employers.

The Industrial Consortium

The Mission of the Industrial Consortium is:

To promote the importance of manufacturing as a vital key to a healthy economy; to nurture awareness on the part of area students, parents, school teachers and administrators, and the community at large that manufacturing careers with family sustaining incomes are – and will be – available in our community for many years to come;

to promote awareness that a career & technology education can help teach principles for life to students that will also be applicable in almost any career pursuit, such as problem-solving and decision-making skills and interpersonal and communications skills; and

to reinforce in the minds of our school officials and teachers that this need to get quality students into our area workforce is critical to the future of our community and area employers.

Working with area schools

Area School District Superintendents (Greater Latrobe, Derry Area, & Ligonier Valley) are active partners at Industrial Consortium meetings.

Eastern Westmoreland Career & Technology Center (EWCTC) administrators and faculty are active Consortium participants.

Company tours have been conducted for school administrators & guidance personnel to promote awareness of manufacturing career opportunities.

“Manufacturing Camps” are conducted for students every summer to make them aware of local industries and jobs.

Local Industry Partners

Aggressive Grinding Services started a “Classroom of the Future” program to modernize and equip EWCTC classrooms to improve educational opportunities for the students.

Consortium-member industries have participated in pilot orientation programs at Derry Area High School to make students and their parents aware of future career opportunities.

The Committee's History...

In 1971, the Chamber added an Economic Understanding Committee and a Business Education Committee (these groups were combined in 1991 into the present Economic Education Committee) to its annual business plan. In partnership with area schools, these area Chamber business leaders design and conduct programs for both elementary and secondary students in the Greater Latrobe and Derry Area school districts, to help them learn the practical side of economic principles at work in America's free enterprise system. Today, over a thousand students from Derry Area and Greater Latrobe School Districts participate annually in over a half dozen Economic Education Committee programs.