Skip to content
Show submenu for About BCTC
Show submenu for Programs
Show submenu for Students
Show submenu for Parents
Show submenu for Community
Show submenu for Employment
Show submenu for
Turning Pages Into Possibilities 📚
BCTC’s SkillsUSA students recently wrapped up their book drive in support of the Schuylkill Valley Community Library. Throughout the drive, students collected gently used books, DVDs, CDs, and puzzles to help provide access to reading, learning, and resources for community members of all ages.

Every book makes a difference, and thanks to the generosity of our school community, these donations will help keep that difference going beyond BCTC.
about 1 month ago, BCTC
Six people stand behind a table displaying collected books, puzzles, and children’s materials for a SkillsUSA book drive at Berks Career & Technology Center.
One week away from a big BCTC night! ⭐ The countdown is on for BCTC’s Senior Recognition Ceremony, where we will celebrate the Class of 2026 and all they have worked toward.

From proud families in the audience to supporters cheering from home, event information and the live-stream link can be found at: berkscareer.com/o/bctc/page/senior-recognition

One week to go. A whole lot to celebrate.
about 1 month ago, BCTC
Graphic reading “05 26 26, one week until Senior Recognition!” with large light gray numbers, black script text, teal headline text, and a gray confetti-style border along the bottom.
The Heart of the House, Student-Made 🛠️

A kitchen is where a house starts to feel like home, and Cabinetry & Wood Technology students helped make that happen at the Student-Built House.

Students created and installed a custom island to complement the custom cabinets already in place throughout the home. Piece by piece, their craftsmanship is turning the kitchen into a space made for gathering, learning, and showing what BCTC skills can do.

Custom cabinets. Custom island. Student-made from the ground up.
about 1 month ago, BCTC
Two Cabinetry & Wood Technology students work near a custom kitchen island inside the Student-Built House.
Two Cabinetry & Wood Technology students stand beside a custom island and installed cabinets in the Student-Built House kitchen.
A Cabinetry & Wood Technology student lies on the floor while adjusting the base of installed kitchen cabinets.
Two Cabinetry & Wood Technology students work near the base of custom kitchen cabinets inside the Student-Built House.
Two Cabinetry & Wood Technology students stand behind a miter saw while working on trim for the Student-Built House kitchen.
Your summer project? Building new skills.

BCTC’s Adult Continuing Education Summer Carpentry Technology program is designed for adult learners ready to get hands-on with residential construction and woodworking.

In this 6-week program, students will explore essential carpentry techniques, safety practices, tool use, floor and wall framing, finishing, and more.

From the first measurement to the final finish, this is a practical starting point for beginners, homeowners, or anyone exploring a pathway in the trades.

Classes begin June 15, and the early registration discount is available through June 1.

Learn more at BerksCareer.com/ACE or call 610-743-7630 to enroll.
about 1 month ago, BCTC
Promotional graphic for BCTC Adult Continuing Education’s Carpentry Technology summer program. Text reads, “Your summer project? Building new skills. Adult Continuing Education is now enrolling for Carpentry Technology. Hands-on training in tool use, framing, and finishing. Programs begin June 15. Early enrollment discount deadline: June 1.” A blueprint-style construction plan appears on the right side of the graphic.
The countdown to summer is officially on! ☀️

BCTC students took a break from the shop, lab, classroom, and kitchen to enjoy some well-earned fun during our Summer Sendoff. From games and music to time with friends, it was the perfect way to celebrate a year full of hard work, growth, and hands-on learning.

Thanks for a great year, BCTC! Here’s to finishing strong and heading into summer with plenty to celebrate. 🎉
about 1 month ago, BCTC
Student pulls hard on a tug-of-war rope outside BCTC during the Summer Sendoff.
Student smiles while playing a giant wooden block stacking game outdoors.
Student wearing goggles stands near a staff member during an outdoor Summer Sendoff activity.
Students play mini golf outside BCTC during the Summer Sendoff.
Group of students competes in tug-of-war on the grass outside BCTC.
Students participate in a sack race on the grass outside BCTC.
Student laughs while playing a giant wooden block stacking game outside.
Student draws with sidewalk chalk during the Summer Sendoff.
Students talk together outdoors during BCTC’s Summer Sendoff.
Two staff members pose in life vests beside the dunk tank during the Summer Sendoff.
Sparks, skill, and confidence. ⚡

Cailyn, a Welding Technology student from Schuylkill Valley, is gaining real-world experience through her co-op experience with BoardSafe Docks in Fleetwood.

She’s building dock components, learning aluminum welding, and showing other young women that the trades are absolutely a place where they belong.

Read Cailyn’s story: berkscareer.com/article/2854417
about 1 month ago, BCTC
A Welding Technology student smiles while reviewing a technical blueprint on a metal work surface in a welding lab.

Summer skills are calling.

BCTC’s Adult Continuing Education is now enrolling for two summer programs built for adults ready to get hands-on:
🪚 Carpentry Technology
🚜 Heavy Equipment Operations

Programs begin June 15 and run through July 23, Monday through Thursday, from 7:30 AM–3:00 PM. Even better? An early registration discount is available through June 1.

Whether you’re ready to try something new, build on what you know, or take a step toward the skilled trades, summer is a great time to start.
Learn more at BerksCareer.com/ACE or call 610-743-7630 to enroll.

about 1 month ago, BCTC
Promotional graphic for BCTC Adult Continuing Education summer programs. Text reads, “Summer skills start here! Now enrolling! Adult Continuing Education is now enrolling for Carpentry Technology and Heavy Equipment Operations. Programs begin June 15. Early enrollment discount deadline: June 1.” An excavator is pictured on a gravel pile.
Built from Gears. Fueled by What’s Next. 🚗 Ryan, a third-year Automotive Technology student from Daniel Boone, is shifting into his next chapter with a $3,000 Skyline Drive Corvette Club of Reading Scholarship!

The scholarship will support his next step at the Automotive Training Center, where he plans to study Automotive and High Performance Technology.

And because this award comes with a little extra horsepower, Ryan also built a custom trophy from automotive parts to present at a car show this summer.

Scholarship earned. Trophy built. Future in motion.

Read Ryan’s full story: berkscareer.com/article/2896772
about 1 month ago, BCTC
Automotive Technology instructor Dustin Mauger stands with student Ryan Kraft, who is holding a custom trophy made from automotive parts in the BCTC shop.
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 1 month 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.
about 1 month 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.
about 1 month 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! 👏
about 2 months 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.
about 2 months 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! 👏
about 2 months 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.
about 2 months 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!
about 2 months 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.
about 2 months 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. 💙
about 2 months 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
about 2 months 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.

about 2 months 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.