News from the GACTC Adult Education Programs – November 2024
Read the current edition of the Adult Education newsletter here.
GACTC celebrates graduates from Medical Assistant diploma program
The GACTC celebrated the accomplishments of seven postsecondary students that will complete the medical assistant diploma program at the end of November with a graduation ceremony on November 7th. After completion of the 240-hour clinical externship with a local medical facility, they will complete all program requirements. Many have already passed the American Association of Medical Assistants Certified Medical Assistant exam and the Certified Phlebotomy Technician exam! View Photos This is the inaugural class of the hybrid medical assistant diploma program. Students in the hybrid program attend class sessions two evenings per week and complete coursework online. Students had [...]
Success in Licensure: GACTC Practical Nursing Program Graduates Achieve 100% NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
The GACTC Practical Nursing program achieved a 100% pass rate of its August 2024 graduates. Thirty-six graduates completed the national licensure exam (NCLEX-PN) after graduation on August 15, 2024, and all passed the licensure exam. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) are in-demand in our region and can work in a variety of healthcare delivery settings. The GACTC Practical Nursing program is approved by the State Board of Nursing. The current NCLEX-PN pass rate of the GACTC Practical Nursing program is well above the required pass rate for practical nursing programs in Pennsylvania per state law, which requires an 80% NCLEX-PN pass rate. [...]
Celebrating the 2024 Practical Nursing Graduates
The GACTC graduated 36 students from the full- and part-time Practical Nursing programs on August 15, 2024. Graduation activities included a pinning ceremony on August 13th and commencement, held on August 15th, at the Altoona Area High School. The “pinning ceremony,” a symbolic welcoming of new nurses into the profession, can be dated as far back as the 12th century, and became standard in the United States by 1916. During the ceremony, students are pinned by nursing faculty. View Photos The commencement ceremony on August 15th honored the practical nursing students through conferral of diplomas, awards, and honors. The [...]
Graduates from adult Welding program earn American Welding Society certifications
Graduates of the 2023-2024 adult Welding with Print Reading diploma program at the Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center (GACTC) completed testing in May 2024 for several American Welding Society (AWS) certifications. Graduates had the opportunity to achieve up to three certifications from AWS including GMAW 2G, SMAW 3G, and FCAW 3G. The GACTC is an Accredited Test Facility through AWS. These certifications are valued by regional employers. Fifteen adult students participated in the AWS certification testing, and the results included: 12 earned the SMAW 3G certification 13 earned the FCAW 3G certification 3 students earned the GMAW 2G certification Three [...]
GACTC celebrates graduates from postsecondary diploma programs
View All Photos On June 18, 2024, the GACTC celebrated the accomplishments of 50 adult students that successfully completed several postsecondary career-training diploma programs with a ceremony at the GACTC. Graduates, GACTC administration, staff, faculty, Joint Operating Committee members, families, and friends attended to recognize the graduates' accomplishments. Mr. Eric Palmer, Executive Director, provided congratulatory remarks to the graduates. Several graduates shared messages to the graduates and attendees, including: Aaron Cassidy, Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning program Alicia Hurd, Medical Assistant program Kylie Smith, Welding with Print Reading program Faith Warwick, Expanded Function Dental Assistant program Julie Patosky, Continuing Education [...]
Health Career Fair held for postsecondary health sciences students and alumni
On June 13th, a health career fair was held at the GACTC for current adult health sciences students and alumni, including students and alumni from our practical nursing, medical assistant, and phlebotomy programs. More than 30 employers attended to promote their organization’s open positions! GACTC students have been preparing references, resumes, cover letters, and growing their professionalism skills, which they were able to put to good use at the career fair. Employers that attended represented area hospitals, long-term care facilities, home health agencies, and rehabilitation centers. They were eager to share their opportunities with our locally trained workforce, and students [...]
GACTC Practical Nursing Student Receives Scholarship from State Association
Jenna Benton, student in the Practical Nursing program at the Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center (GACTC) is the recipient of a scholarship from the Pennsylvania Association of Practical Nursing Administrators (PAPNA). Annually, PAPNA awards three scholarships across the state of PA to the most qualified practical nursing students. Requirements for consideration of the financial scholarship include high academic standing in a practical nursing program, an essay, and recommendation from a practical nursing program coordinator. “Jenna has been a true asset to the full time class of 2024 and will be a true asset to the health care community. Jenna is [...]
Employers share employment opportunities and best practices with adult students
The GACTC hosted employers for a panel discussion with adult students enrolled in our diploma career training programs on April 10, 2024. Six regional employers, including Conemaugh Nason Hospital, Curry Supply/Rail, Goodco Mechanical, Thaler Family Dentistry, Allied Mechanical and Electrical, and Primary Health Network, participated to share information about career opportunities available with their organizations and to answer questions about soft skills, interviewing, resumes, and more.
GACTC Practical Nursing graduates have success with licensure exam
The Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center (GACTC) Practical Nursing program achieved a 94.87% pass rate of graduates which completed the national licensure exam (NCLEX-PN) during the period of October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) are in-demand in our region and can work in a variety of healthcare delivery settings. The GACTC Practical Nursing program is approved by the State Board of Nursing. The current NCLEX-PN pass rate of the GACTC Practical Nursing program is well above the required pass rate for practical nursing programs in Pennsylvania per state law, which requires an 80% NCLEX-PN pass [...]
