Lehigh Career & Technical Institute (LCTI) is the only secondary institution in the nation to develop a laboratory for clean room technologies, thus, giving students a head start in the career pipeline. LCTI is the largest secondary technical school in the commonwealth currently serving over 3,00 high school students. The recenlty completed building modification and expansion project at LCTI includes training facilities for emerging workforce technologies. Located on the same campus as the Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC), the two schools have the unique capability to share facilities and expertise, while addressing workplace needs.
In an effort to provide high school students, college participants and adult learners with the opportunity to attain skills necessary for the technology-based workplace, Lehigh Career & Technical Institute (LCTI) continues to develop and implement an integrated curriculum with emphasis on math and science, combined with studies in the high-tech areas related to Nanofabrication Manufacturing Technology and Electro-mechanical Automated Systems Technology. The program continues to be structured as an academic and technical pipeline with options to seamlessly lead high school students to skill standard certifications, an associate degree and through a four-year degree program. While training, students may also obtain the National Skill Standards related to their chosen Career Pathway. Various entry and exit points into employment and educational opportunities are built into the program model.
The students in the Electronics Technology/Nanofabrication Program and Electro-mechanical Automated Systems Technology Program have the opportunity to participate in the middle college program at the Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC). Students at LCTI can earn up to 15 credits toward certification or A.A.S. Degree in Manufacturing Technology at LCCC.
Students who achieve success in the Electronics Technology/Nanofabrication Program and the Electro-mechanical Automated Systems Technology Program can also earn additional college credit for courses required at LCCC through the articulation agreement between LCTI and LCCC. In total, there are 18 college credits that are articulated between LCTI and LCCC. And, LCCC has articulation agreements in place with Temple University and Penn State University as part of their Manufacturing Technology Program connections. Thus, a seamless connection is provided for students to pursue a rewarding career following the 2+2+2 Pipeline model.
Wage-specific data varies for these emerging careers; however, employers in nanotechnology-related industries pay wages above the median for employers in their region. The Lehigh Valley Career Link newsletter stated manufacturing process wages in the range of $12.00 - $22.00 per hour, to start.
Area job titles include: Process Development Technician, Manufacturing Operator, Laboratory Technician, Process Supervisor, Distribution Process Control Technician, Quality Control Technician/Analyst, Sequencing Technician, Research Technician/Associate/Assistant, Cleanroom Technician, Calibration Technicians, and Industrial/Electrical/Electronics/Mechanical Engineering Technicians.
During the Spring of 2007, every 8th grade student from our sending school districts have the opportunity to tour LCTI which includes touring the Electronics Technology/Nanofabrication Program and the Electro-mechanical Automated Systems Technology Program. There were 19 eighth grade tours scheduled, and, 2,568 8th grade students toured LCTI.
There was a two week Summer Fun Camp at LCTI for the middle school aged students for the Electronics Technology/Nanofabrication Program and the Electro-mechanical Automated Systems Technology Program. The camp was held from June 18, 2007 to June 29, 2007. One hundred and fifty student applicants participated in the Electronics Technology/Nanofabrication Program as one of the four lab rotations. And, one hundred and eight student applicants participated in the Electro-mechanical Automated Systems Technology Program as one of four lab rotations. The Summer Fun Camp program provides opportunities for the middle school students to be exposed to programs at LCTI.
Every fall, LCTI holds an Open House for the public to visit LCTI and gain an understanding of our course offerings. This year, the LCTI Open House will be held in November. Please visit http://www.lcti.org/ for the exact date and times.
|
