July 2, 2019
Volume 1 | Issue 26
Your Weekly Commission Update
Community colleges play an important role in educating and training current and future generations of workers,
in addition to providing affordable and responsive higher education to thousands of Pennsylvanians every year.
Community Colleges Train for High-Paying, In-Demand Careers
Nearly three years ago, Shell chose Pennsylvania for its new cracker plant, bringing with it thousands of new jobs. Community College of Beaver County has been a tremendous resource for training these workers, even as it expands its training facilities to meet the growing demand for individuals to fill these family-sustaining careers.
Free Certificate Programs Are Offered by Community Colleges
Through a partnership with PA CareerLink Bucks, Bucks County Community College is offering free certificate programs in dental assisting, physical therapy aide, pharmacy technician and more for those who qualify. Most programs can be completed in less than a year. Eligibility is determined by PA CareerLink.
More than 30 PSI Students Graduate with Job Offers Waiting
West Penn Power recently hired 34 graduates of the Power Systems Institute (PSI), a FirstEnergy Corp. program offered by Westmoreland County Community College and Pennsylvania Highlands Community College to train the next generation of line workers.
Start at Community College and You Can Go Anywhere
Julio Hernandez chose to major in liberal arts and psychology at Northampton Community College because he felt it would best prepare him to transfer to Moravian College, where he will study speech/language pathology, on the way to becoming a clinician in the field.
Congratulations to Sen. Joe Pittman on Special Election Win
"Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve." - Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr.
Sen. Joe Pittman was formally sworn into office in June during a ceremony in the Senate Chamber of the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg. Born and raised in Hillsdale, Indiana County , Sen. Pittman was elected in a May 21 special election to complete the unexpired term of Sen. Don White, who retired after 18 years of service.
Birthdays & Milestones
Hope you Enjoy a Fabulous Year!
Happy (belated) birthday to Rep. Bud Cook and Rep. Joe Hohenstein ! (Definitely not Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta , who's Birthday isn't until JULY 30, but eat the cake anyway. We won't tell.)

Did we miss someone? Birthday submissions are welcomed to [email protected] .