BCTC & RACC FORM PARTNERSHIP FOR NEW EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

BCTC and Reading Area Community College (RACC) have joined forces to offer a unique educational opportunity for post-secondary students.

Starting January 6, 2003, the schools will be offering a slate of post-secondary courses to be taught by RACC-approved instructors who will teach at BCTC facilities. The courses are industrial maintenance technology, culinary arts, machine tool technology, and HVAC (heating/ventilation/air conditioning) technology. The program will be offered in conjunction with RACC's winter term schedule.

The joint venture between the two institutions takes advantage of the resources each has to offer to the people of Berks County. BCTC recently completed a $34 million renovation to its East and West campuses, expanding its ability to provide instruction at the post-secondary level. RACC brings to the table the depth and breadth of its collegiate and administrative expertise.

"We're really excited about this," said Dr. Robert A. Runkle, BCTC administrative director, "because it represents an unprecedented partnership between secondary and post-secondary institutions." John DeVere, associate dean for academic affairs at RACC, noted that the new venture gives RACC access to equipment and materials it doesn't possess, thereby allowing it to offer associate's degrees in technical areas that previously were unavailable. It also means that RACC can avoid investing a lot of time and money in a new program without knowing if it will be successful, according to DeVere.

The new partnership allows BCTC students who are studying in those fields being offered under the new program to acquire advanced placement at RACC and obtain an associate's degree faster than someone who is enrolling for the first time.

According to Runkle, the schools have created a three-year plan, and intend to add more courses each year. For 2003, new courses will include graphics communication, diesel technology, heavy equipment technology, and automotive technology. For 2004, drafting design, dental occupations and dental hygiene, and electronics technology will be added.