September 7, 2017— During a special ceremony on Sept. 7, Montgomery County Community College recognized the first graduates of the PECO Gas Distribution Pipeline Mechanic Program held at the College’s West Campus in Pottstown. The graduates include:
- Myles Cassidy Jr., Plymouth Meeting
- Evan Cooper, Lansdale
- Brian Davis, Glenmoore, Chester County
- Kevin Grant, Fort Washington
- Kevin Krausz, Glenside
- David Maya-Ramirez, Norristown
- Derrick McCleary, Willow Grove, Bucks County
- Nina Oprysko, Huntingdon Valley
- Jasmine Parker, Sellersville, Bucks County
During the nine-week program, instructors from the natural gas industry taught students how to install and maintain pipelines for natural gas distribution systems, preparing them for entry-level employment in this field. The program was developed through a coordinated effort led by the Collegiate Consortium for Workforce & Economic Development, in partnership with PECO, and was supported by industry counterparts, including Philadelphia Gas Works, Henkels & McCoy and Utility Line Services.
“More than 600 skilled workers will be needed to repair and replace distribution pipelines in the region during the next several years,” said Dr. David DiMattio, vice president of Workforce Development and Continuing Education at MCCC. “We are committed to working with PECO, and other businesses and industries in the region, to develop a skilled workforce and help area residents get the training they need to be desirable candidates in the competitive job market.”
“The College not only improves the lives of our students through these programs, but it transforms the community by providing a skilled, trained workforce,” added Gaetan Giannini, dean of Business & Entrepreneurial Initiatives at MCCC.
“Remember, this is the first step of your pathway, not your last,” Giannini told the graduates during the ceremony. “When you start at Montgomery County Community College, you can continue your relationship with us. Through our Prior Learning Assessment program, you can receive credits toward an associate degree program for training programs and work experience.”
In addition to the Pipeline Mechanic program, MCCC’s Workforce Development Industrial & Manufacturing Career Training programs also include Machinist-Computer Numeric Control (CNC) Operator Training and Metals Manufacturing Technician Training. These programs prepare students to work in today’s high-technology manufacturing jobs. The Machinist CNC program starts Sept. 11 and runs for 14 weeks, and the Metals Manufacturing Technician program starts January 2018 and runs for 18 weeks. The next session for the Pipeline Mechanic program will start in 2018.
While financial aid is not available for these programs, tuition assistance is available through the College’s Foundation, thanks to a recent gift received from TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®. For more information on applying for tuition assistance, please contact Denise Collins, administrative director of Workforce Development, at dcollins@mc3.edu or call 215-461-1127.
The Collegiate Consortium for Workforce & Economic Development is a non-profit organization that is a partnership of Drexel University, Montgomery County Community College, the Community College of Philadelphia, Delaware County Community College, Bucks County Community College and Camden County College.