Discover Your Future at GACTC’s Open House This December!
The Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center invites prospective high school students and adult learners to visit the GACTC during an open house on Tuesday, December 10th from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. During the open house, individuals may tour the facility, learn about our high school and adult career training programs, speak with counselors and student services personnel, and more! The GACTC offers 25 programs for high school students, and many diploma and certificate programs [...]
Articulation Agreement creates a path for GACTC students into Saint Francis University Associate of Applied Science
Saint Francis University and the Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center (GACTC) recently implemented a new articulation agreement that will allow GACTC high school and postsecondary students to move seamlessly several of the center's programs into the online Associate of Applied Science in Specialized Studies offered through Saint Francis University's Division of Professional Studies. Under the agreement, students who successfully complete any of GACTC high school or post-secondary programs with 700+ hours can transfer up [...]
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 [...]
Faculty Spotlight: Jamie Hershey, Dental Assistant & Expanded Function Dental Assistant Postsecondary Programs Coordinator/Instructor
The demand for skilled dental professionals is on the rise. For students seeking a fast-paced, rewarding career in healthcare, the Dental Assistant diploma program offers an excellent pathway. With a strong emphasis on hands-on learning and a focus on patient care, our program equips students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this dynamic field. Since 2011, the GACTC has been fortunate to have Jamie Hershey lead our postsecondary Dental Assistant [...]
Welcome Back — 2024
Students, parents and families! Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year at the Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center (GACTC)! As we open the school year, we anticipate welcoming approximately 1,140 students to the GACTC. Each year provides the opportunity to begin anew and take advantage of the learning and experiences before us. Our world is begging for talented, skilled professionals to fill critical roles in the workforce. YOU, are the future workforce, and learning a [...]
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 [...]
