It’s easy to think of Bucks County Community College (Bucks) students trotting to class, backpack slung over a shoulder, to study literature or accounting or music. But aside them, paralleling their vitality on campus, is another set of students. And their classwork may well involve grabbing a blowtorch or deftly navigating a high-power electrical box.

Bucks’ array of career training coursework prepares future experts in fields like machinists, maintenance technicians, fire fighters, locomotive engineers, and cybersecurity technicians.

What’s more — according to Julie Rita-Di Pietro, Bucks Director of Workforce Development — some of this training can be obtained free, especially for metalworkers and maintenance technicians.

“Most often there is funding that pays for the training,” she said. “Sometimes it is a grant, or students can utilize the services of the PA CareerLink for assistance with training.

“Either way, that’s $6,500 in education that graduates would otherwise pay out of pocket.”

Support Beyond Coursework

Bucks’ success in getting its alumni into the workforce kicks in well before the coursework ends.

“We have a dedicated job coach who constantly scans employers we partner with. They find out who is hiring,” Rita-Di Pietro said. “We also set up tours with these companies, which gives students an inside look at what the jobs are, what the environments look like, and whether they may want to work there.

“The program also gives employers a look at the local talent pool, giving them a preview of who they may want to hire.”

The Bucks job coach also assists with tasks like resume writing/distribution and interview prep.

Success Stories

Rita-Di Pietro has witnessed many transformations that stemmed from Bucks career training. One veteran has stuck particularly in her memory.

“She went through our training last year and got a job making $19–$20 an hour, plus a signing bonus. Within six or seven months, her work was so exemplary that her employer had doubled her salary.”

The coursework can also represent a second chance for a student needing one.

“We get students who maybe don’t believe college is for them. But we provide them with something hands-on, something that can involve complex problem solving, and now they’re affording apartments and cars and starting families. And feeling proud of themselves.”

Two Upcoming Information Opportunities

The two programs whose coursework is about to begin are in metalwork and industrial maintenance. The former provides the skills for a career as a machinist, the latter, an electrical mechanical technician. Both run 12 weeks, and instruction is given by well-seasoned industry veterans.

“Those have really great outcomes,” Rita-Di Pietro said. “We have a 90 percent job placement rate.”

These state-recognized pre-apprenticeships have upcoming opportunities for interested students to learn more:

• Industrial Maintenance: Information sessions are Feb. 17 and Feb. 24. Program starts March 21 in Doylestown. Registration is online.
• Metalwork: Information sessions are June 30 and July 14. Program starts Aug. 1.

More information or questions about Bucks’ array of career training educational resources can be found online. Or, anyone interested can reach out to Bridget Hughes, Program Coordinator, at 267.685.4884 or via email.