About the Workforce Center

Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology’s Workforce and Economic Development Center offers short-term programs that prepare individuals for in-demand job opportunities. These programs are ideal for individuals looking for a career change, need skills for employment, or are looking to increase their skills to advance in their current job. Our instructors are experienced in their field, and provide a unique, hands-on curriculum. These programs can range from six-month training to single-day seminars, with trainings including weekly over a period of time or intensives for six weeks.

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Production Welding 

What do production welders do?

Professional welders work almost everywhere – automotive, aerospace & aviation industries; bridges & bikes; shipyards, shops & skyscrapers – wherever metal needs adhering, a welder is needed.

 What Will You Learn? 

• Importance of welding in the modern manufacturing industry
• Properties of metals
• Gas, metal arc (GMAW), and Flux core arc welding (FCAW) techniques
• Safety

Where Will You Work?

The Thaddeus Stevens College welding training class teaches you skills that can be used worldwide, so almost anywhere you want to go, your welding training can take you there! There are many employers in Lancaster and across Pennsylvania that need skilled welders. 

Program Schedule

Production Welding is a six-week program that meets weekends, Saturday and Sunday, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Greenfield Campus.

• Cost: $2,300 (scholarship funding available for qualifying students)

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Metals Fabrication and Welding

What do Metals Fabrication and Welders do?

Graduates of the Metals Fabrication and Welding program are prepared to work in businesses and industries that design, build and install products that have been fabricated from sheet, plate and structural metals. Areas of employment include: 

• H.V.A.C. Sheetmetal Duct Systems Fabrication and Installation 
• Welding 
• Industrial Maintenance/Millwright 
• Fabrication Machinery Operator 
• Structural Steel and Miscellaneous Iron Fabrication 
• Industrial Ventilation Fabrication and Installation

What Will You Learn? 

The 6-Month Metals Fabrication and Welding Program prepares students to obtain basic working knowledge with the various tools and equipment used in the metals fabrication, mechanical installation, sheet metal and welding industries.  

Fabrication Coursework will include basic instruction in: Introduction to the Sheet Metal Trade, Tools of the Trade, Introduction to Sheet Metal Layout Processes and Fabrication, Trade Math.   

Welding Coursework will include basic instruction in: Gas Metal Arc Welding, Plasma Cutting, Flux Cored Arc Welding, Oxyacetylene Welding and Cutting, Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding and Submerged Arc Welding.  

Instruction in blueprint reading will be covered. Included are components in drafting, orthographic projection and weld symbol interpretation.  

Certifications include:

• Customer service 
• OSHA – 10 hour safety card 
• Forklift 
• Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Certificate of Completion 

In addition, upon completing the program, participants may have the opportunity to pursue post-secondary education at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.   

Program Schedule

The Metals Fabrication and Welding Program is a 6-month course that meets Mondays through Fridays, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.  Classes are held at Tec Centro West, 57 Laurel St, Lancaster PA 17603.  

Program Dates

• Spring: January 15 – June 17, 2025 
• Fall: July 15 – December 16, 2025 
• Cost: $6,300 (scholarship funding available for qualifying students) 

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Facility Maintenance Technology

What Do Facility Maintenance Technicians Do? 

The Facility Maintenance Technician is multi-skilled and typically performs building maintenance tasks ranging from basic repairs to operating computerized building automation systems. The Facility Maintenance Technician possesses a variety of trade skills. There is a broad range of opportunities for employment and career advancement in residential, commercial and institutional settings.

What Will You Learn? 

Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Facility Maintenance Technology program provides instruction and training in a number of technical training areas:

• OSHA Safety 
• Mathematics; measuring and layout
• Blueprint Reading
• Hand tools, portable hand tools, power machinery
• Carpentry: Interior & exterior wall repair
• Plumbing systems: rough-ins and fixtures
• Electrical systems: rough-ins and devices
• HVAC/R
• Forklift operations

Certifications include:

• Customer service
• OSHA – 10 hour safety card
• Power Actuated Fastener
• Lockout/Tagout
• Forklift
• Rigging
• Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Certificate of Completion

In addition, upon completing the program, participants may have the opportunity to pursue post-secondary education at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.  

Program Schedule

The Facility Maintenance Program is a 6-month program that meets Mondays through Fridays, 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.  Class location varies throughout the program depending on the trade unit. Class locations include Thaddeus Stevens College main campus on King Street, Lancaster; the Greenfield Industrial Park Campus, Lancaster; and the Tec Centro Campus, Lancaster.  

Program Dates

• Fall: July 15 – Dec 16 2025
• Spring: Jan 15 – Jun 17 2025
• Cost: $6,300 (scholarship funding available for qualifying students)

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Commercial and Industrial Programs 

Six-month programs

The commercial and industrial six-month programs meet Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Tec Centro South West (57 Laurel Street, Lancaster, PA).

Commercial and Industrial Electro-Mechanical

Commercial and Industrial Electro-Mechanical training provides the opportunity to acquire the theory and skills needed to gain employment in the manufacturing, and factory setting as an entry level industrial maintenance technician with basic skills in mechanical systems, and electrical systems.

Graduates of the Commercial and Industrial Electro-mechanical program will be able to hit the ground running to maintain, calibrate and trouble shoot equipment most commonly used in today’s high-tech manufacturing facilities.

Skills and safe working habits are developed through hands on projects and learning. The Electro-Mechanical classroom includes tools, equipment and instrumentation typically found in Commercial Industrial settings.

Program Dates

• Fall: July 15 – Dec 16 2025
• Spring: Jan 15 – Jun 17 2025
• Cost: $6,300 (scholarship funding available for qualifying students)

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Commercial and Industrial Plumbing 

Students in the Commercial and Industrial Plumbing program will learn how to install, repair and maintenance plumbing systems in new and existing commercial and industrial buildings or structures with industrial-grade fixtures, pipes and outlets.

Some of the skills acquired are joining different types of piping materials, and installing and repairing industrial grade pipes, plumbing fixtures, faucets, and water heaters.

Employment opportunities in the Commercial and Industrial Plumbing Industry can range from basic office buildings to large-scale buildings/complexes, factories, hospitals, malls and manufacturing facilities.

The plumbing classroom includes tools, piping, fixtures and equipment typically found in Commercial and Industrial settings.

Program Dates

• Fall: July 15 – Dec 16 2025
• Spring: Jan 15 – Jun 17 2025
• Cost: $6,300 (scholarship funding available for qualifying students)

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Commercial and Industrial HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning)

This program prepares the student for the fast-growing, Commercial and Industrial heating, ventilation and air conditioning field. Students learn current methods of identifying and performing efficiency evaluations on various types of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems for large building or structures such as hospitals, apartment complexes or retail businesses.

Careers abound in a variety of positions as service technicians and installation technicians.

The HVAC classroom includes tools, equipment and instrumentation typically found in Commercial Industrial settings.

Program Dates

• Fall: July 15 – Dec 16 2025
• Spring: Jan 15 – Jun 17 2025
• Cost: $6,300 (scholarship funding available for qualifying students)

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Information Technology Division

Information sciences drives business operations in manufacturing, retail, logistics, medicine, aerospace, construction, and defense industries, as well as our everyday lives. The need for computer information professionals will continue to increase as organizations seek new applications for computers and networks in the workplace. Our IT Support Specialist program will prepare students to pursue a career pathway in Information Technology.

IT Support Specialist 

The IT Support Specialist program will provide students the opportunity to develop skills needed in the business world. This is a rapidly paced program, preparing students in:

• Customer Support and Job Readiness
• PC Hardware and Support Fundamentals 
• Operating Systems
• Introduction to Networking 
• LAN Cabling and WAN Technologies 
• Basic and Advanced Microsoft Office/Office 365 Programs

Certifications Include:

CompTIA Fundamentals and Microsoft Office Specialist

IT Support Specialists provide technical assistance to computer users. They answer questions or resolve computer
problems for clients in person, via telephone, or electronically. They may provide assistance concerning the use of
computer hardware and software, including printing, installation, word processing, electronic mail, and operating systems.

Program Schedule

• Monday – Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. July 17 – Dec 17 2024
• Semester: Six months
• Location: Tec Centro West, 57 Laurel St, Lancaster PA 17603
• Cost: $6,300 (scholarship funding available for qualifying students)
• Fall: July 15 – Dec 16 2025
• Spring: Jan 15 – Jun 17 2025

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