Two Berks County schools will receive a combined $500,000 in state grant funding to improve career and technical education programs, according to an announcement from state Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-24).
The funding is part of $1 million in grants awarded to four schools across the 24th Senate District through the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Job Training and Education Program. The grants will support facility improvements and equipment purchases designed to expand hands-on learning opportunities for students.
Brandywine Heights Area High School will receive $250,000 to upgrade its carpentry program woodshop, while Berks Career and Technology Center will receive $250,000 to expand its Electrical Occupations program.
At Brandywine Heights, the funding will be used to replace and upgrade the high school woodshop’s dust collection system, improving safety and air quality for students and staff. The project follows an earlier grant investment that expanded the woodshop and introduced modern woodworking equipment.
“The requested grant funding will allow Brandywine Heights Area School District to replace and upgrade the dust collection system in our high school woodshop, ensuring a safer and healthier learning environment for students and staff,” said Superintendent Andrew Potteiger.
Potteiger said the improvements will help accommodate the growing instructional program while preparing students for careers in skilled trades, manufacturing, engineering and related industries.
Berks Career and Technology Center will use its $250,000 award to expand its Electrical Occupations program, increasing access to hands-on training for high school students interested in electrical careers.
Dr. Michael Stauffer, executive director of Berks Career and Technology Center, said the investment will help address workforce needs identified by regional employers.
“Our region’s employers continue to identify electricians and related skilled trades as critical workforce needs, and this funding will help us expand access, modernize training opportunities, and better prepare students to transition directly into employment, apprenticeships, and postsecondary education,” Stauffer said.
The expansion is intended to provide additional training opportunities in a field where employers continue to report demand for skilled workers.
Pennycuick said the grants reflect the importance of preparing students for careers through technical education and practical experience.
“Keeping Pennsylvania competitive on a national and global scale means investing in our career and technical education programs,” Pennycuick said. “The equipment funded through these grants will empower our students to take on new challenges, expand their skills, and benefit from meaningful hands-on learning experiences.”
In addition to the two Berks County recipients, Pottstown High School in Montgomery County will receive $250,000 to support its career and technical education summer camp for seventh- and eighth-grade students and purchase a forklift and additional equipment.
Western Montgomery Career and Technology Center will also receive $250,000 for equipment supporting its culinary arts, welding, automotive and diesel technology programs.
According to Pennycuick’s office, the senator has helped secure more than $1 million in state grants for Western Montgomery Career and Technology Center since 2023, supporting security improvements and equipment upgrades.
The latest grants are intended to strengthen career and technical education programs throughout the district by improving training facilities, expanding program capacity and providing students with access to equipment used in their respective industries.
