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We -- both Pennsylvania and the U.S. as a whole -- need more workers to pursue careers in the trades.
"Manufacturing is up in the U.S.," Pennsylvania College of Technology instructor Jim Colton told the Sun-Gazette for an article in Friday's edition. There are "a lot of opportunities."
And Penn College continues to help people make the most of those opportunities.
The PA Build My Future tour, held at the college last week, is one part of that. High school students from across the region visited the campus to learn about welding, electrical work, construction and other trades vital to industry and the economy. Penn College is demonstrating foresight with its participation in the event, as are high schools who sent busloads of students.
We need a workforce of people with diverse talents and abilities to meet the needs of a growing, multi-faceted society.
Pennsylvania College of Technology, with programs that are truly unique -- unlike what is offered at more conventional liberal arts colleges -- is at the forefront of serving that need. We are fortunate to have the school as part of our community.
And we are fortunate to have school districts moving past the mistakes of past decades to overemphasize one approach to education and careerism -- the liberal arts degree and white-collar work.
Those careers are also important -- but no more important than the historically neglected trades. We, again, need a diverse workforce.
Pennsylvania College of Technology understands that, and is proving itself a leader in working toward that future.