🔨 Framing. Fitting. Finishing.
Carpentry students are hard at work installing jambs and doors at the Student-Built House! Each step of the process shows the skill, precision, and teamwork that define BCTC’s hands-on approach to learning.
6 months ago, BCTC
Two Carpentry students wearing blue hard hats and safety glasses carry a white door inside the Student-Built House. The unfinished interior shows exposed flooring and construction tools in the background.
A Carpentry student in a blue shirt uses a nail gun to secure a door jamb while another person observes and assists. The door frame shows exposed wood as part of the installation process.
A Carpentry student and instructor wearing hard hats crouch in a doorway, smiling toward the camera while working with a nail gun and drill. Construction materials and tools are visible around them.
📐 Designing Her Future! Drafting Design Technology student Alexis is gaining real-world experience through her co-op with C2C Design Group—and making an impact on a local civil engineering project along Old Lancaster Pike!

From survey data to waterway reports, Alexis plays an important role ensuring the project meets environmental and construction regulations. 💧 Her time at BCTC gave her the foundation to understand concepts like elevations and geology, and now she’s seeing how it all connects in the field.

🔗 Read the full story: berkscareer.com/article/2473916
6 months ago, BCTC
A young woman stands on a construction site wearing a light blue hard hat and a bright yellow reflective safety vest. She is smiling, dressed in a beige long-sleeve shirt and light blue jeans, with trees and a partly cloudy sky in the background. The ground around her shows freshly dug trenches and piles of dirt, suggesting active site work.
🧽 Learning the Finer Details—Together! Automotive Technology students teamed up with Service Occupations students for a hands-on collaboration focused on vehicle detailing. 🚗 From washing and waxing to learning interior cleaning techniques, Service Occupations students gained real-world experience under the guidance of their Automotive peers.

This cross-program partnership highlights how BCTC students learn from one another while building the skills that drive success both in the shop and beyond.
6 months ago, BCTC
Two students wearing safety glasses and BCTC uniforms work together to wipe down the rear side of a gray Toyota sedan inside an automotive bay.
A student in a dark BCTC T-shirt and blue FILA pants uses a red cloth to clean the rear corner of a gray Toyota Corolla inside the shop.
Five students stand in a row outside the BCTC automotive shop next to a gray car on a sunny day, smiling for the camera.
A student wearing safety glasses and a black shirt uses a yellow towel to wipe down the hood of a blue SUV inside the BCTC automotive bay.
Four students wearing BCTC shirts stand in front of a blue SUV outside the automotive shop, posing together under clear blue skies.
Two students wearing BCTC uniforms wipe the side of a shiny red car with a bright yellow microfiber cloth inside the automotive shop.
A student wearing safety glasses and a gray BCTC sweatshirt smiles while drying the side of a red car with a yellow cloth inside the automotive bay.
A student wearing glasses and a black hoodie applies wax to the hood of a red car with a yellow applicator pad inside the automotive shop.
A group of five students stands inside the BCTC automotive bay beside a red car, smiling after completing a detailing project.
A student wearing safety glasses kneels on the shop floor scrubbing a black rubber car mat with a brush in a bucket of soapy water.
Service. Leadership. Teamwork. ✨ National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) students demonstrated what it means to lead with heart by volunteering at the Opportunity House. 💜

They donated ingredients, prepped, cooked, served, and cleaned up a delicious meal of chicken and beef fajitas and tacos for the community. From chopping and cooking to serving with pride, their teamwork and professionalism shined!

Their efforts reflect the core values of NTHS — character, skill, honesty, service, responsibility, scholarship, and leadership. We’re so proud of their commitment to giving back and making a difference in Berks County.
6 months ago, BCTC
A group of eleven students and an instructor pose together in the kitchen, smiling proudly after completing their volunteer service.
A group of students wearing gloves stand side-by-side at a stainless-steel prep table, smiling as they chop vegetables like peppers, onions, and cilantro in a commercial kitchen.
Two students stand behind a large tray of cooked chicken in a commercial kitchen, smiling as they prepare food near an oven.
Several students line up at prep tables chopping tomatoes, onions, and peppers. The workspace is organized with colorful cutting boards and trays of fresh ingredients.
Two students work together slicing onions and peppers on yellow cutting boards, focused on meal prep in a kitchen environment.
Two students stand over a flat-top grill sautéing chicken and peppers, with large pots of sliced vegetables beside them.
Students line up behind serving trays at a counter, smiling as they prepare to serve the meal they cooked.
A larger group of students and staff gather in the kitchen for a cheerful group photo, some crouching and others standing, surrounded by cooking equipment and trays of food.
☀️ Perfect weather, perfect progress! Building Construction Occupations students are busy adding siding to the latest Student Built House. Step by step, they’re learning how to take a project from the foundation to a finished home!
6 months ago, BCTC
A wide shot of a two-story house under construction. The home has white siding, stone accents, and black trim. A green telescopic forklift is lifting a work platform with students in hard hats as they install siding on the upper level. Construction materials are scattered in the garage, and traffic cones mark the work area.
Close-up of several Building Construction Occupations students standing on a raised work platform. They are wearing yellow hard hats and safety gear as they prepare to apply siding to the upper portion of the house. The students smile and look toward the camera.
Mid-range view of the house with students working on the upper level from a raised platform. Two students are also working inside the garage with construction tools. White siding is partially installed along one side of the home.
A green forklift extends a platform holding students in hard hats as they work on the siding of the upper story of the house. A worker in a blue shirt and white hard hat stands near the machine. The sky is filled with scattered clouds, and construction equipment and materials surround the site.
Welding His Way to Aerospace 🚀 Congrats to Noah, a Welding Technology senior from Conrad Weiser, on earning a scholarship for advanced GTAW (TIG) training at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology!

Noah is sharpening his skills with his sights set on the aerospace industry — and he’s keeping Wayne Gretzky’s words in mind: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” 🏒

👉 Read more: berkscareer.com/article/2460363
6 months ago, BCTC
A welding student wearing protective gear, including a green cap, face shield with stickers, and red safety gloves, works on a piece of metal in a welding booth. Bright sparks and light from the welding torch illuminate the workspace.
Friday Night Lights, Teacher Spotlight! 🌟🏈 Kegan, a Heavy Equipment Operations student and high school senior, scored more than touchdowns this season—he honored his HEO instructor, Mr. Reifsnyder, during Teacher Appreciation Night.

Keegan shared how Mr. Reifsnyder has guided his career path and made a lasting impact. In return, Mr. Reifsnyder said he was “so proud” to be recognized. Moments like these highlight the powerful bonds between BCTC students and their instructors—and the difference great teachers make on and off the field.
6 months ago, BCTC
A high school football player in a navy blue uniform, number 25, stands on a track smiling with his arm at his side. Next to him is an adult man in a white polo shirt and jeans, also smiling with his hands on his hips. They are outdoors on the sideline of a football field, with other players and cheerleaders visible in the background.
🚀 Big things are happening in Computerized Machining Technology!

BCTC was thrilled to welcome the Phillips Universal Robots team, who provided training and calibration for the newest piece of equipment in our shop — the UR10e CoBot.

This state-of-the-art collaborative robot can handle machine tending, palletizing, packaging, and pick-and-place operations. Even better? Our students will get hands-on experience with automation and robotics, preparing them for the future of advanced manufacturing.

Thanks to the PA Supplemental Equipment Grant for helping make this possible!
7 months ago, BCTC
Six men stand in a machining lab next to a gray UR10e collaborative robot on a black base. Behind them are CNC machines, a large screen with programming software, and a Mastercam sign on the wall. The group includes instructors, industry partners, and a student, all smiling at the camera.
BCTC Horticulture shines at the Oley Fair! 🌸 Our students swept the competition with stunning floral arrangements — bringing home 6 First Place ribbons, 2 Second Place ribbons, 1 Third Place ribbon, and a Best of Show win for Liz!

We’re so proud of their hard work and creativity. See the full list of winners and their awards here: 👉 berkscareer.com/article/2444684
7 months ago, BCTC
A smiling young woman, Elizabeth Fortna, stands next to her award-winning floral arrangement of roses and greenery on gold fabric. Her arrangement is decorated with a Best of Show rosette and a blue first-place ribbon at the Oley Valley Community Fair.
A young woman, Elizabeth Lewis, holds her floral arrangement of orange and red roses with yellow daisies in a white vase. A blue first-place ribbon is attached to the arrangement. She is standing in front of artwork and other floral entries at the fair.
A young man, Logan Jones, stands smiling in front of two floral arrangements. One basket arrangement behind him has a blue first-place ribbon, and another vase arrangement has a red second-place ribbon.
A young man, Michael Adler, holds a small basket arrangement with yellow roses and white baby’s breath. A red second-place ribbon from the 2025 Oley Valley Community Fair is attached.
A playful floral display in a wooden box with white, red, and yellow flowers accented by greenery. A stuffed goat toy is centered in the arrangement. A blue first-place ribbon from the 2025 Oley Valley Community Fair is attached with exhibitor tag reading “Elizabeth Fortna.”
A colorful floral arrangement featuring deep red, yellow, and purple flowers with greenery, placed in a black vase on a wooden table. A blue first-place ribbon from the 2025 Oley Valley Community Fair is attached, with exhibitor tag reading “Ava Reinert.”
A wicker basket overflowing with white cosmos, baby’s breath, hydrangeas, ornamental grasses, and greenery. A blue first-place ribbon from the 2025 Oley Valley Community Fair is attached.
A compact bouquet in a white bowl-shaped vase with orange roses, red roses, yellow daisies, and greenery. A blue first-place ribbon from the 2025 Oley Valley Community Fair is attached with exhibitor tag reading “Elizabeth Lewis.”
A tall arrangement of yellow, orange, and red flowers with greenery and eucalyptus displayed in a white pitcher vase. A blue first-place ribbon from the 2025 Oley Valley Community Fair is attached with exhibitor tag reading “Hannah Dietrich.”
Color, movement, and a whole lot of fun! ✨ Early Childhood Education students explored how something as simple as a parachute can spark endless learning opportunities. From teamwork and exercise to building coordination and communication, they discovered how play can be a foundation for growth.
7 months ago, BCTC
A student in a maroon hoodie runs under a colorful parachute, smiling as the red, blue, and yellow fabric arches overhead.
A student in a maroon polo shirt sits under the parachute with one arm raised, smiling as the red and blue fabric drapes overhead, with her legs stretched out on the grass.
A student wearing a maroon polo shirt smiles while holding the edge of a bright red parachute on a sunny day, standing on green grass with trees in the background.
A student in a maroon polo shirt sits cross-legged on the grass under a parachute, smiling as the red and blue fabric creates a colorful overhead canopy.
A student in a maroon BCTC hoodie holds onto the navy and red sections of a parachute, smiling outdoors with a school building and blue sky behind her.
A student wearing a maroon polo shirt and lanyard smiles while gripping the yellow and green edge of a parachute, standing in a grassy field under a clear sky.
A student in a maroon polo shirt sits on the grass under the parachute’s yellow and blue sections, smiling and leaning slightly to the side.
Swales and Skills in the Making! 🚜💨

Heavy Equipment Operations students have been busy at BCTC’s latest student-built house, tackling the topsoil pile to clear the way for a swale. From classroom to construction site, these future operators are putting power behind their skills and moving mountains—well, at least a whole lot of dirt!
7 months ago, BCTC
A John Deere excavator positioned on top of a dirt pile, with the operator in the cab, surrounded by trees and blue sky.
A wide shot of a John Deere excavator moving dirt piles in the foreground, with BCTC’s student-built house under construction and students working near the foundation in the background.
A close-up view of a John Deere excavator as a student in a safety vest and helmet operates it while digging into a dirt mound.
A John Deere excavator moves dirt near a green house under construction, with a worker visible inside the machine’s cab.
BCTC Students Have Heart! ❤️

Skye, Sophia, Daisy, and Kayla—Health Occupations students from Tulpehocken—really pumped up the effort! 🩸 Thanks to their leadership, 36 units of blood were collected for the Miller-Keystone Blood Bank.

Huge thanks to these organizers and everyone who rolled up their sleeves to help save lives!
7 months ago, BCTC
Four Health Occupations students from Tulpehocken smile at a decorated sign-in table for the blood drive. The table is covered with an orange cloth, small pumpkins, a sunflower centerpiece, and autumn garland.
A BCTC student reclines in a donation chair while giving blood, holding a red stress ball in one hand. A Sprite can and snack rest on his lap.
A BCTC student with blond hair and glasses donates blood while seated in a chair. She holds a green drink cup and a blue stress ball, smiling slightly at the camera.
A BCTC student relaxes in a donation chair with a blue bandage on his arm after giving blood. He holds a water bottle and snack bag.
🎨 Brushes in hand, hearts in the right place! Residential Painting & Interior Design students joined this year’s Restore Hope Berks County build, transforming the interior of a house into a welcoming home for a local family. Incredible work giving back to the community!
7 months ago, BCTC
Two individuals painting an indoor wall. The person in the foreground, wearing glasses and a dark blue shirt, is applying white paint with a brush. Another person in a similar shirt is partially visible in the background. Natural light enters through a window behind them.
An individual painting an indoor wall with a brush. They are wearing glasses, a dark blue shirt, and white pants. The wall is partially painted, and natural light enters through a nearby window.
🎬 Lights, camera… teleprompter! Video & Media Content Production students are learning the ins and outs of preparing and using a teleprompter — a key tool for professional broadcasting and production.

Hands-on skills today mean confident storytellers tomorrow.
7 months ago, BCTC
A student in a black Berks Career & Technology Center polo shirt sits at a desk operating a laptop connected to a teleprompter system. The laptop screen displays scrolling text in large white letters on a black background.
A student with a long braid sits in a studio chair, facing a teleprompter mounted on a camera. The teleprompter shows white text on a black background, with studio lights and monitors visible in the room.
An instructor and students work in a production control room. Multiple monitors display live video feeds and sound levels while a student adjusts a teleprompter script on a computer.
A student wearing glasses and a white jacket operates a laptop displaying a teleprompter script. Studio control room monitors and equipment are visible around the student.
A student in a black Berks Career & Technology Center polo shirt uses a laptop to edit teleprompter text. The screen shows large white words on a black background as the student focuses on the setup.
Service Occupations students are gaining confidence and skills as they explore their future career paths! 💪 Their hard work is already showing results.
7 months ago, BCTC
Two individuals wearing blue gloves are preparing beverages behind a counter in a coffee shop setting. One person is pouring chocolate syrup into a cup of coffee, while the other holds a container of liquid. A sign behind them reads "Berks Perks Coffee Shop" with a steaming coffee cup illustration. The background includes kitchen equipment and another person working.
Four individuals are in a classroom setting. Two are in the foreground wearing gloves and working behind a table with lab supplies, including a container of liquid and boxes labeled "Nitrile Exam Gloves." In the background, another person stands near a bulletin board with colorful decorations and the phrase "Expect to be." The room contains tables, chairs, and computers along the walls, suggesting a science or lab activity in an educational environment.
our individuals are in a classroom setting. In the foreground, two people wearing blue gloves stand side by side. The person on the left, in a gray sweatshirt, is smiling and holding a cup with brown liquid. The person on the right wears a yellow fleece jacket with an ID badge and has hands resting on the table. The table holds boxes of gloves, containers, and papers. In the background, two other individuals are visible—one facing away and another near computers.
Two individuals in black uniforms and caps are working behind the counter of a coffee shop setup labeled "Berks Perks COFFEE SHOP." One person is holding a wooden rolling pin and wearing blue gloves. The counter displays coffee-making supplies including disposable cups, chocolate syrup, sweeteners, napkins, and straws. The background features cabinets and equipment, suggesting a clean and organized institutional or school-based environment.
A group of individuals wearing black shirts, aprons, and gloves are working together in a kitchen setting. The counter is filled with kitchen items including mixing bowls, containers, milk, and syrup bottles. A sign in the background reads "Bert's Perks Coffee Shop," suggesting the activity is part of a coffee preparation or culinary training program.
Two individuals are standing in a school hallway. One person, wearing an orange hoodie, is leaning on a cart that holds a box labeled "wise choice School Nurse Supply" containing nitrile gloves. The other person, wearing glasses, a black t-shirt, grey sweatpants, and white sneakers, is holding a clipboard. The hallway has beige walls with posters and doors visible along the sides.
A person is standing in a commercial kitchen using a mounted can opener to open a large can labeled "S&W Organic Black Beans." The kitchen includes industrial equipment such as ovens and stainless steel cabinets, and appears clean and organized, suggesting a professional food preparation environment.
Two individuals in black uniforms, hats, aprons, and blue gloves are working in a commercial kitchen. One person holds a small container of diced orange fruit, while the other stands beside a large metal bowl filled with the same fruit. The kitchen features stainless steel appliances and countertops, indicating a professional food preparation environment.
Two individuals are working in a commercial kitchen. The person in the foreground holds a spatula and a yellow cloth, while the person in the background holds a blue cloth. Both wear black shirts with logos and appear to be engaged in cleaning tasks. The kitchen includes stainless steel appliances, sinks, countertops, and tiled floors and walls, indicating a professional food service environment.
🔥 From classroom to construction: Meet Andrew, a Welding Technology senior, who spent his summer fabricating components for a major bridge project in New York! Working with JGM, he built counterweight towers for the Livingston Avenue rail lift bridge. These massive pieces measured up to 100 feet long and weighed as much as 32 tons. Experiences like this are helping Andrew strengthen his skills and prepare for a career in infrastructure.

Read the full story here ➡️ berkscareer.com/article/2421659
7 months ago, BCTC
A person wearing a hard hat, safety glasses, light-colored shirt, jeans, and work boots stands in a large industrial workshop beside a massive steel beam with multiple holes drilled into its end. The workshop has high ceilings with yellow overhead cranes labeled "JGM" and an American flag hanging from one of them. The floor is scattered with tools and equipment, and the background includes machinery and workstations.
Ready to discover what’s Made in Berks?

On Monday, October 13, 2025, BCTC is taking 6th–8th graders on a Manufacturing Day adventure! Tour local manufacturers, grab lunch at West Campus, meet a Dream Team pro, and dive into our engineering & manufacturing programs.

It’s free. It’s exciting. And with only 25 spots, it won’t last long. Don’t miss out—register now!
👉 form.jotform.com/232145180592049
7 months ago, BCTC
Flyer for “Made in Berks: A Day of Discovery,” a Manufacturing Day field trip hosted by Berks Career & Technology Center. Event is on Monday, October 13, 2025, from 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Students will tour two local manufacturers, enjoy lunch at BCTC’s West Campus, hear from a young professional in manufacturing who is part of BCIU’s Dream Team, and explore BCTC’s engineering and manufacturing programs. The event is free for 6th–8th grade students in BCTC’s 16 sending districts. Lunch is provided. Parents/guardians are responsible for drop-off and pick-up at West Campus. Transportation is provided to and from manufacturers. Flyer notes “Only 25 spots available!” Logos of Reading Bakery Systems, Tom Sturgis Pretzels, and BCTC are shown. A QR code is included with text: “Scan to register for BCTC’s Manufacturing Day field trip.” Background design features large green and teal gear graphics.
Running. Stretching. Pushing limits. 🏃‍♀️💪

This week, Protective Services students kicked off their year with baseline training to fuel growth and track progress all year long!
7 months ago, BCTC
A large group of Protective Services students in black athletic uniforms running together on a paved lot outside the school building, starting a fitness exercise.
Protective Services students running along a parking lot lined with cars, with several students in the lead and others spread out behind them near a red barn and stone buildings.
Four Protective Services students in black athletic uniforms running around the corner of a brick school building near a stop sign, focused on their pace.
🔬 First-year Health Occupations students are stepping into the world of science! In today’s lab, they explored how microorganisms interact with different environments — building a deeper understanding of the tiny organisms that play a big role in healthcare.

This experience gives students an early glimpse into the science behind infection control and prepares them for the skills they’ll continue to develop throughout the year!
7 months ago, BCTC
Two Health Occupations students in burgundy scrubs smiling at the camera while working on a laptop, with a petri dish nearby on the table.
Two students in burgundy scrubs carefully observing a petri dish, one holding a swab to the dish
Three students in burgundy scrubs gathered around a table, concentrating on swabbing a petri dish.
Two students in burgundy scrubs smiling at the camera, one holding a petri dish on the table.
Two students in burgundy scrubs kneeling at a row of lockers, swabbing a surface for samples.
Two students in burgundy scrubs standing and holding a petri dish toward the camera with a smile.
Three students in burgundy scrubs smiling at the camera with a petri dish on the table in front of them.
Two students in burgundy scrubs smiling while swabbing a petri dish together at their desk.
Three students in burgundy scrubs standing in a classroom, smiling at the camera while one holds up a petri dish.
The path to mastering masonry has officially begun. 🧱 With trowel in hand, first-year Masonry students are learning the foundational skills of mixing and spreading mortar—building the base for every wall to come.
7 months ago, BCTC
A student wearing safety glasses and a bright yellow shirt kneels beside a row of cinder blocks, carefully applying mortar with a trowel. A wheelbarrow filled with mortar and a red level rest nearby in the masonry lab.
Two students wearing bright yellow shirts and safety glasses stand beside a wheelbarrow of mortar. One holds a trowel while smiling, and the other stands next to a short wall made of cinder blocks coated with fresh mortar.
A student in a neon yellow shirt and safety glasses smiles while mixing mortar in a wheelbarrow with a long-handled tool inside the masonry shop.
A student in a bright yellow shirt and safety glasses kneels on the shop floor, using a trowel to apply mortar to the base of a cinder block. A partially built wall and tools are visible in the background.
A student in a neon yellow shirt and safety glasses applies mortar across the top of a row of cinder blocks using a trowel. The student smiles as they work in the masonry lab.