State funding award to support manufacturing education in Cambria County

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced Friday that the Greater Johnstown Career & Technology Center (Center) would receive new funding for phase two of its Advanced Manufacturing and Programming Education (AMPED).

The funding from Pennsylvania’s Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Program (MTTC) will provide $200,000 for equipment, instructional support, tuition scholarships, and internships for the second phase of the AMPED program that blends career and technical education in a school setting with internships in a live manufacturing floor business.

“It’s vital for Pennsylvania to invest in training programs like these,” Wolf said. “The AMPED program combines the classroom setting with valuable, real-world experience working with local manufacturers. This investment will help prepare students to join the workforce and give them the specialized skills they and their future employers need to be successful.”

Through the AMPED program, the Center provides students with a hybrid program consisting of 720 hours that includes an imbedded 200-hour internship. The program focuses on advanced manufacturing processes, including Computer Numerical Control g-code programming, robotic welding programming, and coordinate measuring machine instruction. The program will enroll 16 students in two cohorts.

The first phase of the program started in July 2019 in partnership with area companies JWF Industries and Mission Critical Solutions. J&J Truck Bodies, Master Machine, and Rockwood Manufacturing will join the program in phase two.

“The Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center is excited to have been awarded another grant to continue the AMPED program through the Phase 2 funding,” said Tricia Rummel, supervisor of adult education at the Center. “This program provides students with both practical, hands-on training as well as an internship opportunity with local businesses. It truly is a benefit to students, business, and the community.”