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Career and Technology Centers/Area Vocational and Technical Schools
What is a Career and Technology Center (CTC) or Area Vocational Technical School (AVTS)?
CTCs and AVTSs are educational institutions that help students and adults develop technical skills that enable them to enter the workplace.
Most high schools in Pennsylvania offer technical training to their students through special programs offered at local CTCs/AVTSs. Students demonstrate their mastery of skills through the NOCTI (National Occupational Competency Testing Institute) examinations.
High school students generally attend the local high school for their academic training and then spend part of the day at the CTC/AVTS to acquire technical skills. View CTC/AVTS programs.
Adults can attend open enrollment classes at the CTC/AVTS to acquire skills, which will enable them to enter the job market. Often classes are also offered in the evening to accommodate people who work during the day but want to acquire new skills.
Can I go to college if I attend a CTC/AVTS?
CTCs/AVTSs often have special agreements (called articulation agreements) with community colleges and other two year associate degree programs, which will enable you to get college credit for some of your technical training from the CTC/AVTS when you apply for admission into a certificate or associate degree program.
Many CTCs/AVTSs offer Tech Prep programs, which not only provide vocational training but also focus on academic preparatory classes in math, sciences and writing.
Benefits of Technical Training at CTCs/AVTSs:
- You have learned a skill that will enable you
to get a job directly out of high school, even if you decide to go to
college.
- You can achieve technical certifications that
may help you get a job or may be transferable to college credit
- You may need less time to complete your degree
if you go on to college
- You may have the opportunity to take more
advanced classes at the college level
- If you enroll in Tech Prep you will have a strong academic background as well
What kind of programs do CTCs/AVTSs have that will lead to a career in manufacturing?
The specific programs may vary from school to school, but the following programs are offered in southwestern PA:
- Engineering Technology
- Drafting
- Electrical Power Installation
- Electronic/Communications Engineering
Technology
- Diesel Engine Mechanical Repair
- Machinist/Machine Technology
- Mechanical/Installation/Repair Technology
- Production Industrial Technology
- Communications Technician
- Welder/ Welding Technology
- Heating, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration Technology
The programs may be offered either as occupational programs, without the strong academic emphasis, or as Tech Prep or college preparatory programs
What schools offer technical training in my area?
For a listing of technical educational institutions by county, see the PA Dept. of Education web site,
- click on the county you are interested in
- click on AVTS or high school for a listing of
the schools in the county
- click on the name of the school you are interested in for contact, location and website information
or view listing of CTC/AVTS for
southwestern PA.
What Tech Prep programs are offered at my school?
To find out what Tech Prep programs and certifications are available at a specific school you can access the Career and Technical Information Systems (CATS) of the PA Dept of Education:
- Select the LEA (Lead Education Agency) / name
of the school you are interested in from a pull down menu.
- Select the name of the school from a pull down
menu (may be the same as the LEA)
- Select the year
- Click on certifications
- Click on Approved Programs and scroll down the page to see the listings
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