Titusville - A very enthusiastic group of almost 200 students representing 20 Industry Clubs from across six counties in Northwest Pennsylvania gathered at the Seventh Annual Industry Club Expo, held as the culminating event of the Industry Club Program, to compete for top honors at Cross Creek Resort near Titusville. Although every presentation reflected the dedication and hard work of each participating team, only three schools went home with championship trophies. Coming in first place was the Industry Club from Beaty Warren Middle School, followed by Oil City Industry Club (second place) and Perseus House Charter School of Excellence Maritime Center from Erie (third place).
The Industry Club Program was developed in 2004 to give middle school students a chance to explore career opportunities in the various industries located in Northwest Pennsylvania. This program allows students the opportunity to focus their scholastic efforts toward fields that interest them for future employment. The clubs, which now include high school students, meet two times per week for eight weeks. The first meeting is spent discussing and researching an industry cluster, and then during the second meeting the students take a trip to a local business within that cluster for a tour.
The Industry Club Expo, hosted by the Regional Center for Workforce Excellence, offers students the opportunity to gather and give a presentation on one of the favorite industries they have studied. The presentations are judged by a panel of education and business professionals. This year's panel included Northwest PA Workforce Investment Board member Doug Armstrong, Executive Director of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Northwest PA; Rick Cornwell, Career Development Coordinator of UPMC Hamot; and Tamara Adams, Executive Director of the Northwest PA Chapter of the National Tooling & Machining Association. While waiting to present, students had the opportunity to visit industry-related and educational exhibits. Exhibitors included: First Robotics CIA Team 291, Science in Motion from Gannon University, Gannon University College of Engineering and Business, Grove City College, IU6 Oil City Civic Center and Oil City Shade Tree Commission, Penn State Behrend School of Engineering, Venango Technology Center, HERO Healthcare Resources, Inc., and the Regional Center for Workforce Excellence.
Article Photos
Beaty Industry Club members, Warren County’s first-time ever first place winners
at the annual Northwest Pennsylvania Industry Club Expo.
Any school district interested in beginning an Industry Club for their local students is encouraged to contact the Regional Center for Workforce Excellence for information regarding the program.