York News-Times Reprint
Written by Parker Garlough
Southeast Community College is Opening a Learning and Workforce Development Center Adjacent to York High School.
SCC is partnering with York Public Schools, the York County Development Corp. and area employers on the center, where high school students and people seeking career training will be able to take classes relevant to local industries.
| Illich |
“York has always had people willing to invest in the next generation,” SCC President Paul Illich said in a press release. “With this center, a high school student can earn college credit next door to their classroom, a working parent can train for a better job without leaving town, and local employers can hire people who trained right here. That’s a different picture of what a community college can be, and it’s one we’re building across our 15 counties.”
The York Learning Center will be relocated to the Learning and Workforce Development Center’s campus. It will continue to offer classes in continuing education, personal interests and hobbies, GED, English as a Second Language and testing services.
In addition, training for careers such as manufacturing and healthcare will be available. High school students will be able to earn dual credit and industry certifications, and adults may use the available classes to pivot or advance their careers.
Employers across the region also can partner with SCC for customized training built around their needs.
On Tuesday, the SCC Board of Governors unanimously approved an interlocal agreement with York Public Schools — which previously approved the measure — to begin developing the center, which will be near the intersection of Duke Drive and North Delaware Avenue in York.
With SCC’s approval, the York school district will transfer the property to SCC within the next 60 days. SCC will be responsible for the design and construction costs associated with the new learning center, supplemented with donations from the York area.
The Workforce Development Center is an idea that was first proposed over a decade ago, YCDC Executive Director Lisa Hurley said at a City Council meeting in April. Making it happen has taken a lot of work so far, including fundraising and extensive planning efforts.
“This is a nontraditional approach to education,” YPS superintendent Mitch Bartholomew said in a press release. “We have been in talks with SCC for quite some time about the chance for us to partner with local industry to build a skilled workforce. The healthcare and manufacturing industries were projecting this workforce shortage as long as 15 years ago. It’s time we address it.”
