Where Mechatronics Meets Manufacturing ⚙️

Mechatronics Engineering Technology students got a firsthand look at how their skills connect to the manufacturing world during a mini manufacturing summit hosted by Bell & Evans.

Students met with Bell & Evans’ maintenance and transportation teams to see how troubleshooting, systems thinking, equipment knowledge, and problem-solving help keep real-world operations moving.

Thank you to Bell & Evans for giving our students a closer look at the industry in action!
about 18 hours ago, BCTC
BCTC Mechatronics Engineering Technology students and staff pose outside Bell & Evans in front of a large chicken sign after a mini manufacturing summit.
Grill. Chill. Support SkillsUSA! 🔥

BCTC’s SkillsUSA students are heading to Nationals in Atlanta this June, and you can help support their trip with a chance to win the ultimate summer prize package!

Enter the Summer Fun Raffle for your chance to win:
🔥 PitBoss Pellet Grill
🧊 32 QT RTIC Cooler
🥩 $100 Omaha Steaks gift card

Every raffle ticket helps support our students as they prepare to represent BCTC on the national stage.

Get your tickets here:
go.rallyup.com/b49b88/Campaign/Details

Participants must be 18 years of age or older.
1 day ago, BCTC
Graphic promoting the Summer Cookout Raffle with a cookout scene, raffle ticket, QR code, and prize details for a Pit Boss Pellet Grill, RTIC cooler, and Omaha Steaks gift card.
Pour decisions. Solid teamwork. 🚧

At the Student Built House, BCTC trades were working together from the ground up!

Heavy Equipment Operations students prepared and tamped the area, setting the stage for a solid concrete pour. Then, as the concrete flowed, Masonry students jumped in to level and finish the surface.

It’s more than a concrete pour. It’s collaboration, craftsmanship, and career-ready skill taking shape.
2 days ago, BCTC
Heavy Equipment Operations students in hard hats and safety vests check and level a gravel base outside the Student Built House.
A Heavy Equipment Operations student operates a compact excavator near the Student Built House while classmates work nearby.
A Heavy Equipment Operations student uses a jumping jack tamper to compact gravel as classmates observe near the Student Built House.
Students in hard hats and safety vests watch as a skid steer dumps gravel into the prepared area near the Student Built House.
Masonry students work together as a concrete truck pours concrete into a framed walkway near the Student Built House.
Masonry students in hard hats use rakes and tools to spread freshly poured concrete beside the Student Built House.
Masonry students level and spread wet concrete as it flows from a concrete truck chute into a framed walkway.
Masonry students use long-handled tools to guide and level concrete being poured from a truck into a walkway form.
Scholarship Spotlight 🌟 Two Health Occupations students are adding an exciting honor to their senior year!

Congratulations to Madison and Lillianna, who have been selected to receive the National Technical Honor Society Jon H. Poteat Scholarship. This national recognition celebrates students who demonstrate achievement, leadership, and a commitment to career and technical education.

From Health Occupations to national recognition, Madison and Lillianna are making their mark! 👏
5 days ago, BCTC
Madison stands with two Health Occupations staff members while holding her Jon H. Poteat Scholarship certificate.
Lillianna stands with Health Occupations staff members while holding her Jon H. Poteat Scholarship certificate.
Certified to Keep Things Moving 🚧

Heavy Equipment Operations students are officially PennDOT Flagger Certified!

After completing training in flagging signals, PPE, safe work zone setup, and passing the required exam, students earned an industry credential that supports future work in construction, roadwork, and site operations.

Big equipment. Bigger skills.
6 days ago, BCTC
Heavy Equipment Operations students practice work zone safety procedures in a parking lot during PennDOT Flagger Certification training.
A student uses a red flag to direct classmates during a work zone safety training exercise.
Heavy Equipment Operations students practice flagging signals and traffic direction during certification training.
A student demonstrates a stop signal with a red flag while classmates observe during flagger training.
A student holds a red flag while classmates practice traffic control procedures during PennDOT Flagger Certification training.
A Promise is a Promise ✂️

When Mr. Entrekin told his Cosmetology students that if they all scored Advanced on their NOCTI assessment, they could shave his head, he meant it.

And when the results came in? Into the salon chair he went! 💈

Congratulations to our Cosmetology students on this outstanding achievement. Their hard work, skill, and determination paid off in a big way — and Mr. Entrekin made good on his end of the deal.

Now that’s what we call a clean finish! 👏
7 days ago, BCTC
Cosmetology student stands beside Mr. Entrekin as he sits in a salon chair before students begin shaving his head.
Cosmetology student uses clippers to begin shaving Mr. Entrekin’s hair as classmates watch in the salon.
Cosmetology student smiles while using clippers on the top of Mr. Entrekin’s head in the student salon.
Cosmetology student stands behind Mr. Entrekin after using clippers to shave part of his hair.
Cosmetology student smiles beside Mr. Entrekin after helping shave his hair in the student salon.
Cosmetology instructors and students gather around Mr. Entrekin in the salon after students shaved his head.
Cosmetology student carefully uses clippers to shave the top of Mr. Entrekin’s head.
Cosmetology student uses clippers to shave the back of Mr. Entrekin’s head during the classroom celebration.
Cosmetology student with bright pink hair uses clippers to trim Mr. Entrekin’s hair in the student salon.
Cosmetology instructors and students gather around Mr. Entrekin in the salon after students shaved his head.
We’re Hiring: Lead Custodian! 🧹

Think you’ve got what it takes? BCTC is seeking a self-motivated, team-oriented Lead Custodian who takes pride in maintaining clean, safe, functional, and secure facilities.

This full-time role is responsible for supporting daily building operations and ensuring facilities are properly maintained. Responsibilities include assigning and scheduling work, assisting with problem resolution, supporting grounds maintenance, responding to custodial requests from administration and faculty, completing quality control checks as directed, and helping ensure building work plans are carried out effectively.

If you’re cooperative, dependable, and ready to be part of a team that helps keep BCTC running strong, we’d love to hear from you! For full details and to apply, visit: berkscareer.com/page/employment-opportunities. Refer to job ID #471.
8 days ago, BCTC
Hiring graphic for a BCTC Lead Custodian, 2nd shift, West Campus, full-time position. Apply at BerksCareer.com by 05/19/26 or until filled.
A Familiar Smile Returns to Dental Occupations 🦷 From BCTC student to future dental hygienist, Delaney Wesner gave current Dental Occupations students plenty to smile about.

Delaney, a BCTC Class of 2022 graduate and soon-to-be 2026 graduate of Northampton Community College’s Dental Hygiene program, returned to share her path to dental hygiene school and demonstrate the use of an ultrasonic scaler, a tool students may use as they continue their training.

Thank you, Delaney, for coming back to encourage our Dental Occupations students and show them where their skills can lead!
8 days ago, BCTC
Dental Occupations students observe a guest demonstration using dental equipment on a mannequin in a BCTC classroom.
A Little Code. A Lot of Learning. 💻🧠

Chase, a third-year IT Programming student from Exeter School District, put his coding knowledge and creativity to work in a way that reached beyond his classroom.

After seeing an opportunity to support our Early Childhood Education program, Chase developed a memory matching game that students can use with young learners in the Head Start program. With each match, children get a fun, interactive way to practice focus, recognition, and matching skills.

It is a great example of student initiative, creative problem-solving, and BCTC programs coming together to make learning click.
9 days ago, BCTC
Three BCTC students stand in an Early Childhood Education classroom beside a smartboard displaying student-created games.
Young learners sit on a classroom rug while a BCTC student leads an interactive game on a smartboard.
A young learner plays a memory matching game on a smartboard while a BCTC student stands nearby.
A Lifelong Friend. A Lasting Impact. 🚛 BCTC is proud to recognize Peter Moyer as the 2026 Lifelong Friend Award recipient.

A 1984 Automotive Technology graduate, Peter has dedicated more than 20 years to our Diesel Technology Occupational Advisory Committee, serving as Co-Chair and mentoring new members. He’s supported students as a NOCTI evaluator and SkillsUSA judge, helped train BCTC graduates at East Penn Manufacturing, and continues to give back through equipment and program support.

A true champion for BCTC students. 💙
12 days ago, BCTC
Four men stand in front of a Berks Career & Technology Center wall sign; one holds a red award plaque while the others stand beside him.
Big decisions. Bright futures. 🎉

Decision Day is almost here as students from Berks Career & Technology Center and Reading Muhlenberg Career & Technology Center take the next step toward their careers, college plans, or military service.

📅 Tomorrow at 1:00 PM
🎥 Watch it live: youtube.com/watch?v=iezj-jq1c7A
13 days ago, BCTC
Graphic reads “Decision Day 2026” with subtext “A collaboration & celebration of BCTC & RMCTC seniors!” and a banner that says “Watch it Live!” on a colorful dotted background.

Small Acts. Big Comfort. 🧸 National Technical Honor Society students turned compassion into action.

Cody (Hamburg), Abriana (Boyertown), and Natashia (Brandywine Heights), all juniors in Sports Medicine & Rehabilitative Therapy, led a stuffed animal drive focused on one goal: bringing comfort to kids who need it most.

The result? 60 stuffed animals delivered to Lehigh Valley Reilly Children's Hospital—each one ready to brighten a hospital room and ease a tough day.

14 days ago, BCTC
Two students stand inside Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital holding large bags filled with donated stuffed animals against a colorful wall backdrop.

🚨 Now Hiring: Director of Finance 🚨

BCTC is looking for a dynamic, collaborative financial leader to join our forward-thinking administrative team. This is a key leadership role for someone who sees both the big picture and the fine details — and is ready to help shape the future of career and technical education in Berks County.

Our next Director of Finance will guide the systems that keep BCTC running strong — from budgeting and internal controls to payroll, purchasing, capital projects, transportation, and school safety initiatives. You’ll work closely with administrators across the organization while leading our Business Office and Food Services teams with a hands-on, team-oriented approach.

We’re seeking a professional with a strong background in school business or fund accounting, experience in budgeting, auditing, and cash management, and the communication skills to collaborate across departments. A bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, or a related field is required, with a CPA or master’s degree preferred.

📍 Join a team where your leadership supports hands-on learning, innovative programs, and opportunities that help students discover their future. For detailed information about this career opportunity or to apply, please visit www.berkscareer.com/page/employment-opportunities. Refer to job ID#470

15 days ago, BCTC
Graphic with a photo of a school building in the background and bold text reading “We’re Hiring! Director of Finance.” Additional text at the bottom says “Apply now at: BerksCareer.com,” “E.O.E.” White and blue curved design elements frame the image.
From Greenhouse to Gold 🌼

Six Horticulture students put their skills to the test at the FFA Eastern Region Career Development Events (CDE), competing in Floriculture and Wildlife events packed with hands-on challenges and real-world application.

A big moment for Boyertown senior Evan, who earned 1st Overall and 1st in Berks County in Wildlife, rising to the top of a field of 100+ competitors.

A standout finish and a result worth celebrating. 🌱
15 days ago, BCTC
Student wearing glasses smiles outdoors while holding a small gray tree frog on their hand, with leafy green trees in the background.
At the Capitol, representing what we do best 🏛️

Last week, students and instructors from our Precision/Computerized Machining Technology program were joined by BCTC administrators at PACTA State Advocacy & Career and Technical Education Day at the Pennsylvania State Capitol, sharing the real impact of hands-on learning and advocating for the future of CTE.

We extend our sincere appreciation to Senator Judy Schwank, Senator Lynda Schlegel Culver, and Senator Tracy Pennycuick for taking the time to meet with and engage in thoughtful conversation with our students.
16 days ago, BCTC
Five BCTC students and instructors from Precision/Computerized Machining Technology stand at a display with banners promoting machining careers and hands-on training.
Behind the Lens at the NFL Draft 📸🏈 From early morning to late into the night, BCTC alumnus Ben Schaeffer was right in the middle of one of football’s biggest stages—capturing the energy, emotion, and unforgettable moments of the 2026 NFL Draft with special media access.

What started in the Video & Media Content Production program has grown into incredible real-world opportunities, with Ben now photographing major events and building his future in the industry.

🔗 Read the full story: berkscareer.com/article/2842859
19 days ago, BCTC
Young man takes a selfie in a large crowd at an outdoor NFL Draft stage, holding a camera, with fans in team jerseys behind him.
Young man with camera poses next to a Philadelphia Eagles fan in full costume in front of a large event sign.
Young man holding a camera stands beside a Super Bowl display case featuring the Lombardi Trophy against a yellow backdrop
Wide view of the NFL Draft stage with large screens and lighting rig as a crowd of fans watches from behind a barrier.
From Garage Roots to Real-World Repairs 🔧🚛 For Boyertown senior Charles, working on vehicles started early. Now at BCTC, he’s building on that foundation in our Automotive Technology program and through a co-op at D&D Collision Services.

From routine maintenance to tearing down a fire truck and rebuilding engines, Charles is gaining the kind of real-world experience that sticks.

Read more: berkscareer.com/article/2840106
20 days ago, BCTC
Student wearing safety glasses works under the hood of a vehicle, inspecting engine components in an auto shop.
Swimming with the Sharks 🦈 Business Management & Entrepreneurship students stepped into the deep end as the aspiring student entrepreneurs featured during Reading Area Community College’s innovation celebration with Robert Herjavec of Shark Tank.

Hosted in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Schmidt Training and Technology Center, the event brought together big ideas, bold thinking, and real-world business insight.

As part of a live “Berks County Shark Tank” experience, our students pitched ideas, thought on their feet, and held their own in front of industry professionals in a high-energy setting.

No floaties needed—just preparation, confidence, and the willingness to take the risk.
21 days ago, BCTC
BCTC students kneel on stage holding scholarship certificates with Robert Herjavec and event organizers behind them.
Robert Herjavec poses with BCTC students and staff in front of a Reading Area Community College banner.
Robert Herjavec talks with BCTC students gathered near a Reading Area Community College banner.
Robert Herjavec poses with BCTC students and staff in front of a Reading Area Community College banner.
Robert Herjavec stands on stage speaking into a microphone during an event.
Robert Herjavec speaks with BCTC students in business attire in a hallway at Reading Area Community College.
A Recipe for Results 🍳🔥 Service Occupations students put their skills to work during a fried rice lab, bringing together techniques they’ve been building all year.

From measuring ingredients and following multi step directions to safely using kitchen equipment, every step mattered. Just as important, they worked as a team to keep things moving and bring it all together.

It’s always great to see students build on what they know while picking up something new along the way.
22 days ago, BCTC
Student stirs eggs and vegetables in a skillet while another student cooks in the background in a commercial kitchen.
Student pours beaten eggs into a skillet with mixed vegetables over a lit burner.
Two students prepare fried rice, adding oil and mixing rice and vegetables in a skillet.
Student smiles while stirring fried rice in a skillet on a commercial stove.
Measured. Cut. Bent. Connected. ⚡

After a full year of building their skills, first-year Electrical Occupations students are putting it all together.

From measuring and bending conduit to installing boxes and making clean wiring connections, these projects show the progress that comes with practice. Each run is more precise, each connection more confident.

Give it a little more time… these skills are about to power something big.
23 days ago, BCTC
Students bend and cool heated PVC conduit at a workbench in an electrical lab.
Students install metal electrical boxes and prepare them for wiring.
Student bends conduit while another secures it along a framed wall section.
Student uses a drill to fasten conduit and boxes to a training wall.
Students strip wires and make electrical connections inside a box.