Not to worry! History has shown trades don’t just prevail during economic bumps; they undergo substantial growth. You may be surprised to know that some tradesmen and tradeswomen gross even more than their diametric corporate counterparts. If your interest is piqued, you’re not the only one. There is no doubt you’ve heard of the recent trades boom. You should know that, in Berks, it’s absolutely explosive! With so many unique and lucrative trades to choose from — each of which, backed by a solid occupational outlook — you could be poised to pivot in nearly any economic climate.
Prepare for Tomorrow Today
Berks Career and Technology Center (BCTC) has a rally cry we can all get behind: “Go from learning to earning. Fast!” Whether you are seeking a new career or looking to upgrade your skills, BCTC has you covered — and then some. Regarded as one of Pennsylvania’s premier career and technical education facilities of its kind, they offer quite the smorgasbord. Students are afforded a copious banquet of opportunities by way of 38 career pathways across the following career clusters: Business and Information Technology, Communications, Construction, Engineering & Manufacturing Technology, Services, Healthcare and Transportation. Operating from two expansive campuses in Berks County, BCTC has been empowering students for more than 52 years and continues to be ranked among Pennsylvania’s best. If asked how they manage to stay competitive, it won’t take long for any student, staff or faculty member to exclaim proudly, “Results!” BCTC students are achieving outstanding feats as they prepare for tomorrow, today.
Welding is so hot right now! One of the fastest-growing professions in the U.S. and incorporated into nearly every industry, welders are in great demand. Students hone skills per American Welding Society standards and may even choose to advance further at the post-secondary level in metallurgy, welding engineering technology, quality control and inspection. The opportunities are practically endless, both in the U.S. and internationally. Instructor Dale Roberts boasts, “The more you put in, the more you get out. A robot can make a perfect weld every time and so can you with enough practice!”
Another popular course of study is their Pennsylvania Builders Association-endorsed Building Construction Occupations program, where students learn several construction trades while focusing on the maintenance and repair of all integral systems. Students cultivate skills in carpentry, sheet metal work, glass cutting and glazing, painting, masonry, plumbing, electricity and welding. As a testament to the student’s skilled craftsmanship, BCTC’s East Campus even offers the opportunity to prove their mastery through the construction of a custom-built home.
The Sports Medicine and Rehabilitative Therapy (SMaRT) program guides students’ development toward numerous technical kinesiology fields, such as Physical Therapy Technician, which includes personal training certification. New this year is BCTC’s Heavy Equipment Technology program where students prepare for the operation of multiple pieces of motorized industrial vehicles. BCTC also offers numerous apprenticeship, certification and trade prep courses for HVAC, Plumbing and Electrical as well as stand-alone programs in Advertising Art & Design Technology, Video & Media Content Production, Healthcare, Early Childhood Education and Automotive/Diesel Technology, just to name a few. Whatever industry you’re hoping to embark upon — from mom-and-pop shops to global corporations — the competition is steep, but BCTC gives you the edge.
Want to learn more?
Nan Parks, Outreach Coordinator: 610.374.4073, ext. 2214
Your Ticket to Ride
Berks Technical Institute (BTI) celebrates life-long learning with an empowering hands-on approach that transports students from classroom to career quickly and without heaps of debt. With BTI’s uber-personalized approach, YOU and YOUR success are their top priority. From day one, industry-experienced instructors engage as mentors and gurus, guiding students through a “classroom” experience that breaks the mold, with inclusive cutting-edge training alongside seasoned professionals in BTI’s state-of-the-art learning labs.
Do you dream of geeking out over the hottest new tech and getting paid for it? BTI’s IT Support Specialist Associate in Specialized Technology degree program was made for you! You’ll master the ins and outs of today’s most integral technology while preparing for the coolest future tech, too. If you’re devoted to making things right and you have a heart for serving your community, BTI’s Criminal Justice program is ideal for gaining the fundamentals needed to make a real impact in your neighborhood and beyond. With BTI, obtaining an in-demand career in healthcare doesn’t have to come with the seemingly endless years of schooling or the steep price tag either. Really.
Questing after a more competitive edge in the business world is by no means a new pursuit; after all, that corporate ladder isn’t going to climb itself. You’re closer than you thought to setting yourself apart as an invaluable member of your dream team, thanks to the diversified skill set you’ll gain with BTI’s Business Administration Associate of Specialized Business program. With a flexible learning environment, your organizational insights in marketing, finance and accounting will have you suited up as your new improved self before you know it, leading as the engaging communicator — the inventory-controlling, customer-retaining, team-supervising, problem-solving extraordinaire.
Perhaps, the open road is where you long to be. BTI has your ticket to ride via their Commercial Driver’s License Training: Class A Tractor-Trailer program. Students take part in everything they need to rev their engines toward licensure. Twenty hours of on-road driving and 40 hours of on-the-job expert observation will teach you everything from defensive driving and how to plan your most efficient safe deliveries, to accident prevention, maintenance procedures, safety regulations and handling laws. BTI’s accomplished faculty gives the feeling of having your very own pit crew, equipping you with the know-how and on-road experience to test for your new career. With BTI’s smaller class sizes, convenient class times and some of the most affordable tuition around, you’ll be confidently cruising into your new profession in no time. For more info call 866.481.931 or visit berks.edu.
