Western Area Career and Technology Center may add two-year degrees
HOUSTON – When Dr. Joe Iannetti presided over groundbreaking ceremonies June 24 for a new welding training center, he told the audience it would be his last official act as director at Western Area Career and Technology Center.
Iannetti retired June 28 from the position he held for 13 years.
Iannetti later introduced a reporter to his successor, Dr. Dennis McCarthy, who joined WACTC as its new director on July 1.
McCarthy, who was recently hired by WACTC’s board, joins the school from Steel Center Career and Technology Center in Allegheny County, where he was assistant director for continuing education for 14 years.
But Iannetti won’t become a stranger to WACTC.
In fact, he’ll be working as project director on a plan that could take WACTC to the next level, one that Iannetti hopes will make the school a degree-granting institution.
Iannetti said Tuesday the school has applied to the Claude Benedum Foundation for a grant to study the feasibility of creating a postsecondary school focused on awarding two-year associate degrees with a focus on the school’s mission of providing skilled workers in energy, health care and manufacturing.
He said the school expects to hear in September whether it will receive a grant from the foundation.
Iannetti noted that many employers in those industries now seek job candidates that have two-year technical degrees. He said the concept is already in force at the career and technical center in Lancaster.
In addition to seeking the opportunity to offer two-year degrees to adults, Iannetti said the school could also be used to award college credits to some of its high school students.
If the plan works out, Iannetti said the school will continue its traditional focus on providing skilled workers.
“We’re going to stick with what we do best,” he said.