The Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center (GACTC) became aware of allegations related to Executive Director, Eric Palmer, on November 8, 2024. The GACTC takes the allegations seriously and took appropriate action in the interim. The GACTC will fully cooperate with any investigation. Mrs. Nicole Zernick will be serving as Interim Executive Director.

High School Programs

GACTC students excel in District 7 SkillsUSA competition

Twenty-one GACTC students medaled in the recent SkillsUSA District Competition, which was held at the Blair County Convention Center, Stuckey's Automotive, Carpenter's Union, and Roundhouse.SkillsUSA is a career and technical student organization serving more than 395,000 members every year enrolled in trade, technical, and skilled service training programs across the country. Gold medalists and Straight to State competitors will advance to the state competition in Hershey, which is set for April 12-14.  NameCompetitionSchoolGradeSheri NixonAdvertising and DesignHollidaysburg11thChloe UlinoCake DecoratingAltoona11thColleen EricksonCake DecoratingAltoona11thGarrett BaumgartnerCarpentryAltoona12thBrenna CokrlicCommercial BakingAltoona12thMcKenzi BlackPower Equipment TechnologyClaysburg-Kimmel12thMichael HostlerPrecision MachiningBellwood12thRebekah DickPrepared SpeechHollidaysburg11thWilliam SteinerMotorcycle Service TechnologyHollidaysburg12th Silver medalists: NameCategorySchoolGradeAva RokoskyExtemporaneous SpeakingAltoona11thArcher MakarikasQuiz BowlAltoona9thKatelyn BrallierQuiz [...]

GACTC students excel in District 7 SkillsUSA competition2023-01-23T15:53:49-05:00

Garrett Baumgartner places 8th in national SkillsUSA competition

Garrett Baumgartner, a student at the Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center (GACTC) in the Carpentry program, recently placed eighth in the national SkillsUSA Championships. The competition took place at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, which was held June 20-24 in Atlanta. Garrett Baumgartner and Pam Kenawell Baumgartner, who is a rising senior at Altoona High School, was one of 44 qualifiers in the day-long competition. Competitors were tasked with building a frame, deck, roof, and stairs for a small house, as well as the installation of a window. “I couldn't be happier to see what this [...]

Garrett Baumgartner places 8th in national SkillsUSA competition2022-07-14T10:52:56-04:00

Allegheny Trucks, Inc. donates a diesel truck to the Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center

(Altoona, PA): Allegheny Trucks, Inc. has donated a preowned diesel truck to the Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center (GACTC) to offer students hands-on learning to examine, diagnose, and repair diesel vehicles. GACTC students in the Automotive Technology, Collision Repair & Refinishing Technology, and Automotive/Diesel Technology programs will be able to work on the truck. “The industry is in critical need for trained and skilled technicians more than ever. The field takes on ever-changing technologies year after year,” said Larry Sherry, Service Manager for Allegheny Trucks. “In this day and age a mechanic who can repair and understand the basics of [...]

Allegheny Trucks, Inc. donates a diesel truck to the Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center2022-06-13T14:08:02-04:00

GACTC recognizes 247 seniors in Senior Ceremony

The Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center (GACTC) held its Senior Ceremony on May 19 at the Blair County Convention Center, honoring all 247 seniors finishing programs of study at the GACTC. Students, families, school board members, and GACTC faculty were in attendance, along with sending school superintendents, principals, assistant principals, and counselors. Photo gallery of the event The seniors honored were: Altoona Area High School: Madison Adelsberger Darion Amos-Burchfield Anastazia Barschefski Logan Bartlebaugh Piper Bastian Isabella Baughman Dylan Baughman Lucas Berkheimer Savannah Blazer Samantha Boose Mackenzie Brandt Ariana Brewer Jacob Bumberger Esther Butler Anthony Campagna Nathaniel Carnell Andan Clingerman James [...]

GACTC recognizes 247 seniors in Senior Ceremony2022-05-26T10:19:27-04:00

Penn State Altoona to offer dual enrollment engineering course with the GACTC for fall 2022

Beginning in fall 2022, Penn State Altoona will offer Cornerstone to Engineering Design (EDSGN 100) as a dual enrollment course at the Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center (CTC). Several local businesses have provided funding for student scholarships. EDSGN 100 provides students with a foundation for engineering design through hands-on team projects that address specified design opportunities. Through this course, students will recognize the role that engineering and design have in improving the health, safety, and welfare of the global community, as well as identifying when a solution is technically feasible, economically viable, and desirable. Students will use a range of [...]

Penn State Altoona to offer dual enrollment engineering course with the GACTC for fall 20222022-05-05T14:56:11-04:00

Stuckey Automotive donates two vehicles to the GACTC

Stuckey Automotive donated two preowned vehicles to the Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center (GACTC) to offer automotive students hands-on learning to examine, diagnose, and repair advanced computing platforms available in newer models on the road today. (Pictured, left to right: Michael Selvenis, GACTC; Matt Stuckey; Nanette Anslinger and Eric Palmer, GACTC). GACTC students in the Automotive Technology, Collision Repair & Refinishing Technology, and Automotive/Diesel Technology programs will be able to work on two preowned Ford models, a Ford Fiesta and Ford Escape, as examples of modern, computer-driven vehicles with heavy levels of electronics and infotainment systems. “Computerization has revolutionized how [...]

Stuckey Automotive donates two vehicles to the GACTC2022-02-03T13:20:44-05:00

GACTC students excel at SkillsUSA District Competition on Jan. 19

Fourteen students at the GACTC won medals in the district SkillsUSA District Competition, which was held on Jan. 19 at the Blair County Convention Center. Some 260 students from 10 career and technology schools across the district took part in the competition. SkillsUSA is a career and technical student organization serving more than 395,000 members every year enrolled in trade, technical, and skilled service training programs across the country. The GACTC's winning students are: Name Grade Sending School Competition Place Kayla Delozier 10 Altoona Architectural Drafting 3rd Morgan Newberry 12 Altoona Cabinetmaking 1st Garrett Baumgartner 11 Altoona Carpentry 1st Brenna Cokrlic [...]

GACTC students excel at SkillsUSA District Competition on Jan. 192022-02-01T15:10:39-05:00

GACTC receives $50,000 state grant to upgrade equipment

The GACTC has received a $50,000 Pennsylvania Department of Education grant to purchase new equipment aligned to training students for jobs in high demand. The GACTC received the maximum grant available through the competitive Career & Technical Education Equipment Grant Program, which recently awarded nearly $1.5 million to 39 CTCs and three school districts across the commonwealth. “The GACTC is always working to provide real-world training that reflects industry standards,” said Nicole Zernick, CTE Coordinator. “This grant allows us to make critical upgrades that will enhance opportunities for our students, so that they're even better prepared for careers in today's workforce.” [...]

GACTC receives $50,000 state grant to upgrade equipment2022-02-01T15:10:59-05:00

GACTC students excel in Carnegie Science Center competition

Secondary students at the Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center (GACTC) recently placed in the top eight teams at the National Engineers Week Chain Reaction Contraption Contest at the Carnegie Science Center of Pittsburgh. The annual contest is designed to foster an interest in engineering by challenging students to create a machine that will accomplish a specific task in at least 20 steps. In 2021, the task was “turn the page.” Each team submits preliminary design drawings for their contraption (which can be no larger than 2'X3'X5'), project progress photos/videos, and reports to document their contraption's evolution, then presents their contraptions [...]

GACTC students excel in Carnegie Science Center competition2022-02-01T15:11:09-05:00

The GACTC updates several program names

The GACTC has updated several program names to better align with the education content and industry terminology of the programs. The changes were made in consultation with each program’s Occupational Advisory Committee (OAC) and were approved by the Joint Operating Committee (JOC) at the August board meeting. The program name changes are as follows: Computer Programming/Oracle Academy to Computer Programming Drafting/Design Technology is now Engineering Design Technology Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, & Plumbing (HVAC/P) to HVAC/R Logistics & Materials Management to Logistics & Supply Chain Management Visual Arts Technologies to Graphic Design The GACTC invites you to find out more about [...]

The GACTC updates several program names2022-02-01T15:11:48-05:00

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