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Penn State DuBois offers engineering program in St. Marys By Michele C. Moyer
Tricia Lukehart, Penn State DuBois community outreach coordinator for Elk and Cameron counties, coordinates course offerings for the Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) Certificate program offered in St. Marys with Ross Kester, MET program leader.	Penn State DuBois has introduced a new educational program at its outreach center in St. Marys. The Basic Mechanical Engineering Technology Certificate is being offered in conjunction with the Community Education Council of Elk and Cameron Counties.   The certificate is designed to help students acquire the skills they need for entry-level positions in industry, industrial sales or related fields, explained John Piccolo, director of Continuing Education at the campus.   “During this time when high unemployment rates are a big concern to the region, Penn State DuBois is doing everything it can to meet the educational needs of Elk and Cameron county residents. We are committed to providing the right training for jobs that do exist, as well as help in the creation of new employment opportunities,” Piccolo said.   The Basic Mechanical Engineering Technology Certificate program is comprised of seven courses that teach the fundamentals of mechanical engineering technology.   Students learn the basics of computer-aided drafting, word processing and spreadsheet design, as well as enhance their written and oral communication abilities and develop new mathematical skills. The program also serves as an introduction to a myriad of typical materials and processes used in industry today.   “The practical skills students develop in this program are in great demand in industry,” explained Ross Kester, leader of the Mechanical Engineering Technology program at Penn State DuBois. “These skills can open new employment opportunities or help those already working in engineering be more competitive in the job market.”   Kester noted the certificate program is comprised of the same courses required for the associate degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology offered at the DuBois campus. Students who wish to further their education may apply these credits to the associate degree program.   For more information about the new Basic Mechanical Engineering Technology Certificate program at St. Marys, contact Tricia Lukehart, community outreach coordinator for Elk and Cameron counties, at 814-834-3593.
© 2002 Outreach Communications,   Outreach & Cooperative Extension,   The Pennsylvania State University phone: (814) 865-8108,   fax: (814) 863-2765,   e-mail: outreachnews@outreach.psu.edu