HONESDALE, PA — Throughout Pennsylvania, there are more than 80 Career and Technical Centers (CTC), schools that offer hands-on experience in crucial skills alongside standard academic classes. But, for students in Wayne and Pike counties, there is no CTC within a reasonable distance. 

That has led four local school districts to decide to work together, combine resources, and create their very own CTC.

On Thursday morning, the Wayne County commissioners approved letters of support on behalf of the Delaware Valley, Wallenpaupack Area, Wayne Highlands, and Western Wayne school districts as they work to obtain state and federal funding for a Wayne/Pike Career and Technical Center. These letters will be sent to Pennsylvania officials in the hope that the state will allocate funding toward this ambitious project.

Throughout the meeting, the commissioners emphasized the importance of having a CTC program in the community. Although many students choose to continue their education after high school, others decide to go straight into the workforce. But without a proper CTC, many graduates find there is a “skills gap” between their high school education and the experience needed for a technical job. The programs offered at the Wayne/Pike CTC would fill this gap. 

The letter also highlights how the center will have a positive impact on the community as a whole, not only on the students. Much of the training offered at the CTC would be for services needed in Pike and Wayne counties.

These letters are a small, yet important, step toward creating this opportunity for local students.

According to the Department of Education, CTE gives students the opportunity to personalize their education, based on career paths interesting to them.