Penn College

Penn College welding expansion project underway

Ground was broken recently for a welding expansion project at Pennsylvania College of Technology. Made possible in part by a $2 million grant provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, the project will increase the size of welding-related instructional space in the Lycoming Engines Metal Trades Center by approximately 35,000 square feet. Credit: Pennsylvania College of Technology / Penn StateCreative Commons

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Construction has commenced on a project that will expand and enhance the space available for welding instruction at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

The expansion, made possible in part by a $2 million grant provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, will increase the size of welding-related instructional space in the Lycoming Engines Metal Trades Center by approximately 35,000 square feet.

Expanding will allow the welding program to grow the curriculum and enroll up to 60 more students annually. Traditionally, the program has a waiting list for enrollees.

Murray Associates Architects, of Harrisburg, developed the design for the expansion project. The general contractor is Leonard S. Fiore Inc., of Altoona. Other contractors are: mechanical, Marx Sheet Metal & Mechanical Inc., of Wilkes-Barre; electrical, Turnkey Electric Inc., of Williamsport; and plumbing, Myco Mechanical, of Telford.

The expanded facility exterior will resemble the architectural style of other facilities in the same part of main campus, including the Parkes Automotive Technology Center. The area between the welding expansion and College Avenue Labs will allow for a plaza-type environment, while providing some outdoor welding spaces for students. Plans also call for a dedicated entrance from West Third Street.

It is anticipated the project will be completed in time for fall 2019 classes.

Welding typically ranks near the top for program enrollments at Penn College. The college offers a bachelor’s degree in welding and fabrication engineering technology, an associate degree in welding technology, an associate degree in metal fabrication technology, and a certificate in welding.

For more about the welding expansion project, visit www.pct.edu/give/welding-expansion-project. For information about the welding program and other majors offered by the School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies, call 570-327-4520 or visit www.pct.edu/icet.

Penn College is a national leader in applied technology education. Visit www.pct.edu, email admissions@pct.edu or call toll-free 800-367-9222.

Last Updated October 16, 2018