Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-04) will gather experts and activists versed in the debate over drilling in the Marcellus shale formation in a forum Tuesday evening in McCandless. This is going to be a community discussion said Altmire, “It’s not to advocate one side over the other, it’s certainly not a political meeting but it is to give everybody the opportunity to have a panel all in the same room, at the same time, answering the same questions so hopefully we can all learn from it.” Altmire hopes the activists on both sides will not disrupt the event.
The forum runs from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Community College of Allegheny County North Campus.
Each of the seven panel members will be given a chance to make opening remarks, “and then we are going to ask the obvious questions that always come up… the things I always hear in the public, and then we are going to open it up at the end for members of the community to directly ask the panel anything that they want,” said Altmire.
Representatives from the gas industry, the environmental movement, government regulatory agencies and academicians will sit on the panel. According to Altmire, this is the issue he hears about more often than any other issue as he travels around his district.
While the forum is to explore sides of the issue, Altmire has come out in favor of drilling in the past. “If you do it right the fracking process can be done safely without the environmental impacts that some are concerned about, but there does need to be oversight, we do need to make sure corners are not cut and that the process is carried out in an environmental way,” said Altmire. At the same time Altmire says Pennsylvania should not follow the lead of New York where all drilling has been banned pending review of the process.
Showing posts with label ccac. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ccac. Show all posts
Monday, June 27, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
CCAC Freezes Administrative Hiring
Faced with a proposed 10% cut in state funding, the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) is reducing spending in the current fiscal year. CCAC President Alex Johnson has announced a hiring freeze affecting nonunion administrative positions funded through the regular operating budget. Johnson noted there are 2 exceptions to the freeze: the open director and assistant director of Safety & Security positions at the Allegheny Campus on Pittsburgh's North Side, which will be filled to maintain a high level of campus safety. Johnson also asked all budget leaders to curtain non-essential spending for the remainder of the the fiscal year which ends June 30.... "I hope that the proposed cuts to community colleges and all of higher education are withdrawn. However, we must still prepare for the future assuming that the cuts become reality. These measures are prudent to ensure that CCAC ends the current fiscal year on solid financial footing." In addition to the proposed 10% reduction in appropriations for the community colleges, Governor Tom Corbett plans to cut by 50% funding for the 14 state-owned and 4 state-related universities including Pitt. Johnson said while they are taking steps to reduce expenses, they already have a lean budget..."We will strive to maintain academic excellence as well as an affordable education."
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Community Colleges Oppose Cuts
CCAC President Alex Johnson and other community college leaders will appear before the Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee in Harrisburg on Wednesday, March 30 to avert a 10% funding cut in Governor Tom Corbett’s proposed budget--$23 million statewide and $3.6 million for CCAC. Dr. Johnson says although it's a small portion of CCAC's overall $116 million annual budget, there would be an impact on direct instruction and on support services necessary to help students be successful. He says community colleges actually need more funding because of increasing enrollment and the commonwealth’s need for a skilled labor force.
Along with seeking to restore the funding, CCAC will also look at raising additional revenue from Allegheny County, foundations and corporations and may even have to turn to students, which Johnson says he and the trustees have not wanted to do.
On April 5th at least fifteen CCAC students will help Johnson convey the importance of community colleges in meetings with legislators in Harrisburg. Johnson says the Western Pennsylvania legislative delegation has traditionally supported community colleges, but this year they have to deal with proposed cuts of many great programs at all levels.
Along with seeking to restore the funding, CCAC will also look at raising additional revenue from Allegheny County, foundations and corporations and may even have to turn to students, which Johnson says he and the trustees have not wanted to do.
On April 5th at least fifteen CCAC students will help Johnson convey the importance of community colleges in meetings with legislators in Harrisburg. Johnson says the Western Pennsylvania legislative delegation has traditionally supported community colleges, but this year they have to deal with proposed cuts of many great programs at all levels.
Friday, February 4, 2011
CCAC Recieves $3 Million from Richard King Mellon Foundation
The Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) has been awarded a three million dollar grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation to support health care, green technology, science and math programs.
The grant is the largest CCAC has ever received in its 45 year history. $1.27 million will go to providing equipment for the allied health program at CCAC; $810,000 for an instructional lab aimed to promote energy efficient careers and public education. CCAC's West Hills Center in Oakdale will be awarded $680,000 for a new science lab, and $240,000 will be used to construct Math Cafés at all of CCAC's branches and in two of the centers.
The grant is the largest CCAC has ever received in its 45 year history. $1.27 million will go to providing equipment for the allied health program at CCAC; $810,000 for an instructional lab aimed to promote energy efficient careers and public education. CCAC's West Hills Center in Oakdale will be awarded $680,000 for a new science lab, and $240,000 will be used to construct Math Cafés at all of CCAC's branches and in two of the centers.
Rose Ann DiCola, executive director of CCAC's education foundation says that 51% of the students who come to CCAC need to take developmental math classes, meaning that the students are not ready for college level math.
"When you look at the data of the students that need to take the developmental math classes, if they are not able to progress well in those classes it really puts them in jeopardy of not being able to complete their college course work."
The Math Cafés will provide space for additional tutoring services and an environment for faculty and students to better interact so the students will succeed.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
CCAC Part of Effort to Evaluate Community Colleges
Community colleges across the country have long complained that there is not a good way to measure the success or failure of their institutions but the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) thinks it may be close. AACC Associate Vice President for research Kent Phillippe says most of the tools used to evaluate institutes of higher education look at graduation rates for full-time students over a period if time but he says earning a degree is only the tip of the iceberg at a community college. “For many community colleges students may come in for a short term certificate degree, they may come in for some workforce training and not even intending to get a degree, they may come and do some educational experience at a community college and then transfer to a four-year institution,” says Phillippe.
The Community College of Allegheny County is among those trying to help build what is known as the “Voluntary Framework of Accountability.” (VFA) CCAC President Alex Johnson says, “CCAC is very pleased to be among the pioneering institutions to help develop this important framework. The VFA is a natural compliment to our ongoing efforts to improve student success.”
Phillippe says the VFA will look at variety of measurements, “how many students that started transfer, we are also going to try to look at career and technical education students and see what happens to them after they leave to see if there has been a wage gain, did the college provide them career technical education experiences that are valuable in the market place.”
Thirty-seven institutions will spend the next few months evaluating the tool to see if they agree that it measures everything that is important and to make sure they can provide the AACC with the needed data. Phillippe says the hope is to have the VFA finalized by August. Phase three will look to build a system to collect and display the data. “We need to make sure this is something that our colleges would be willing to voluntarily participate in because it does not make sense to build something if our colleges don’t want to do it,” says Phillippe.
The Community College of Allegheny County is among those trying to help build what is known as the “Voluntary Framework of Accountability.” (VFA) CCAC President Alex Johnson says, “CCAC is very pleased to be among the pioneering institutions to help develop this important framework. The VFA is a natural compliment to our ongoing efforts to improve student success.”
Phillippe says the VFA will look at variety of measurements, “how many students that started transfer, we are also going to try to look at career and technical education students and see what happens to them after they leave to see if there has been a wage gain, did the college provide them career technical education experiences that are valuable in the market place.”
Thirty-seven institutions will spend the next few months evaluating the tool to see if they agree that it measures everything that is important and to make sure they can provide the AACC with the needed data. Phillippe says the hope is to have the VFA finalized by August. Phase three will look to build a system to collect and display the data. “We need to make sure this is something that our colleges would be willing to voluntarily participate in because it does not make sense to build something if our colleges don’t want to do it,” says Phillippe.
Friday, January 7, 2011
CCAC and Employers Cooperate to Fill Jobs
Unemployment across the nation dropped to 9.4% in December down from 9.8% the previous month. Employers added 103,000 jobs but economists say the jobless rate dropped in part due to people giving up searching for work.
The Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) is offering programs and certifications that correlate with job openings in the Pittsburgh area. A report by the Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board (TRWIB) found the top occupational "clusters," which represented 50 percent of online job postings. Charles Blocksidge, executive director of the CCAC Allegheny Workforce Alliance says, "Management, Computers, Technology, Office Administrative Support and Healthcare" jobs are in demand for the future.
CCAC's Career Specialists cooperate with employers by telling them of the qualified graduates. "That's the key component: to make that linkage. If employers have opportunities and their looking for individuals with those kinds of skill sets we always tell [employers] that if you need someone with particular, specific set of skills that we're able to produce those individuals."
CCAC has 170 educational programs, not including those offered in the Dislocated Workers Program which offers those who have lost their jobs because of the economic recession the opportunity to become educated without charge.
Blocksidge says that we can match [graduates'] skill sets with job opportunities if we know where they are and what the demand is." Registration is closed for the Spring 2011 semester, but Summer Registration is in February and March.
The Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) is offering programs and certifications that correlate with job openings in the Pittsburgh area. A report by the Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board (TRWIB) found the top occupational "clusters," which represented 50 percent of online job postings. Charles Blocksidge, executive director of the CCAC Allegheny Workforce Alliance says, "Management, Computers, Technology, Office Administrative Support and Healthcare" jobs are in demand for the future.
CCAC's Career Specialists cooperate with employers by telling them of the qualified graduates. "That's the key component: to make that linkage. If employers have opportunities and their looking for individuals with those kinds of skill sets we always tell [employers] that if you need someone with particular, specific set of skills that we're able to produce those individuals."
CCAC has 170 educational programs, not including those offered in the Dislocated Workers Program which offers those who have lost their jobs because of the economic recession the opportunity to become educated without charge.
Blocksidge says that we can match [graduates'] skill sets with job opportunities if we know where they are and what the demand is." Registration is closed for the Spring 2011 semester, but Summer Registration is in February and March.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities to Hold Alternative Fuel Event
Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities is taking part in Odyssey Day this year, a nationwide event to help educate people others about alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles.
Odyssey Day occurs every two years and is part of a
President of Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities, Rick Price says they are part of the cause because the
He says at the event, there will be a number of presentations talking about alternative transportation and technologies that would lower the use of oil-based fuels. There will be over 20 alternative fueled vehicles on display, with representatives there to answer questions. “We have natural gas, propane, flexible fuel, hybrids, electric and bio-diesel vehicles.”
Price says anyone involved or interested in alternative fuel projects should attend the event. “The idea of what Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities is about is we’re trying to reduce the amount of fuel we use here in the
The free event will be held at the West Hills Center of the Community College of Allegheny County on October 15 from 10 am to 1 pm. No prior registration is required.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
CCAC Launches new Focus on Shale Jobs
The Community College of Allegheny County says it will begin offering new degree and certificate programs specifically designed to create graduates ready to work in the Marcellus Shale fields of Pennsylvania. CCAC Allegheny County Workforce Alliance Executive Director Charles Blocksidge says the college began by looking at all the skill sets in demand in the shale gas industry and then tweaking the classes already in place to make sure they fit the needs. Blocksidge says for students already enrolled in welding or other in-demand-skills classes, graduates will be ready to take jobs in a few weeks. Others just starting such programs could have the skills in as little as 15 weeks. At the same time, the school will be building new programs to answer demand. Blocksidge says those new programs include a welding associate’s degree aimed at the skills needed to build natural gas transmission lines, a bio-remediation certificate which includes a partnership with Frac Biologics and Allegheny-Singer Research Institute, a drilling industry certificate which will be a non-credit, short-term training program addressing many of the skill sets in electronics, instruments and controls needed by mechanics and other industry personnel, and a First Responder PA DOH certification to train individuals who might be first on the scene of an industrial type emergency. Blocksidge says, “Current state and regional proposals focus on helping individuals become entry-level field workers for the industry. CCAC also wants to position itself to serve those industry employees who seek more substantial positions in the industry and to assist entry-level workers in their move up career ladders.” In all, the college identified 11 existing associate’s degrees and 10 credit certificate programs that align with industry workforce needs. Blocksidge says additional programs, both credit and non-credit, have substantial overlap with skills required by positions in the industry.
Monday, September 13, 2010
CCAC Unveils Veteran Training Program
Local veterans hoping to find a new job in health care can now take advantage of a free training program at the Community College of Allegheny County.
The Veterans Health Career Education Project will train qualified veterans and their spouses to become certified as paramedics or nursing assistants. Only those who are unemployed, underemployed, or on public assistance are eligible.
CCAC Director of Training and Development Mary Jo Guercio says you must be already trained as an EMT to enroll in the two-year paramedic program, and you need a fifth grade comprehension level to enroll in the nursing assistant program. All of the training and clinical hours are free, but uniforms and state certification exams must be paid by the individual.
Guercio says after the first year of training, CCAC will begin a "bridge program" for vets and their spouses.
"They could get their English and their math scores and their terminology, you know, medical terms and words, up to par, so that if they need to take the placement test to get [jobs], they can perhaps pass that test," says Guercio.
Guercio says the training project is funded by a Department of Education grant for about $200,000. She says CCAC hopes to train 80 nursing assistants and 40 paramedics over the next two years.
The Veterans Health Career Education Project will train qualified veterans and their spouses to become certified as paramedics or nursing assistants. Only those who are unemployed, underemployed, or on public assistance are eligible.
CCAC Director of Training and Development Mary Jo Guercio says you must be already trained as an EMT to enroll in the two-year paramedic program, and you need a fifth grade comprehension level to enroll in the nursing assistant program. All of the training and clinical hours are free, but uniforms and state certification exams must be paid by the individual.
Guercio says after the first year of training, CCAC will begin a "bridge program" for vets and their spouses.
"They could get their English and their math scores and their terminology, you know, medical terms and words, up to par, so that if they need to take the placement test to get [jobs], they can perhaps pass that test," says Guercio.
Guercio says the training project is funded by a Department of Education grant for about $200,000. She says CCAC hopes to train 80 nursing assistants and 40 paramedics over the next two years.
Friday, September 3, 2010
CCAC Enrollment on the Rise
Enrollment is up by 5% this fall at the Community College of Allegheny County. 20,459 students have signed up for this term....about 1,000 more than a year ago.
CCAC spokesman David Hoovler says there are several reasons for the increase. He says more people are recognizing the variety and quality of the programs the college has to offer, plus there is the affordability factor especially with the economy being down.
"More people consider us because we're so much more affordable than many other options, but I think they then realize the quality that they can also get here."
Hoovler says over the last couple years, CCAC has put a strong emphasis on retention by increasing support services and trying to better connect students with professors. He says the increase in returning students has proved they're doing something right.
Hoovler says there was a 10 percent increase in online enrollment.
"We're offering more programs online and we have more courses that have an online component. We think the convenience of that is really appealing to a lot of people."
Historically, Hoovler says an increase in enrollment during hard economic times is common. On the contrary, enrollment decreases when the economy perks up.
He says a year ago, the college surveyed students and found that 3 out of 4 picked CCAC as their first choice college, which is a big step up from previous years.
CCAC spokesman David Hoovler says there are several reasons for the increase. He says more people are recognizing the variety and quality of the programs the college has to offer, plus there is the affordability factor especially with the economy being down.
"More people consider us because we're so much more affordable than many other options, but I think they then realize the quality that they can also get here."
Hoovler says over the last couple years, CCAC has put a strong emphasis on retention by increasing support services and trying to better connect students with professors. He says the increase in returning students has proved they're doing something right.
Hoovler says there was a 10 percent increase in online enrollment.
"We're offering more programs online and we have more courses that have an online component. We think the convenience of that is really appealing to a lot of people."
Historically, Hoovler says an increase in enrollment during hard economic times is common. On the contrary, enrollment decreases when the economy perks up.
He says a year ago, the college surveyed students and found that 3 out of 4 picked CCAC as their first choice college, which is a big step up from previous years.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Free Marcellus Leasing Workshops Offered
CCAC has teamed up with a land brokerage firm to offer a series of free workshops on Marcellus Shale Drilling at the school’s Washington County facility. CCAC Director of Community Education M. J. Mandler says people in Washington County are starting to sign leases and now is the time to become educated on the subject “before it is too late.” “This is only going to get bigger,” says Mandler, “information is power and they should go into this knowing exactly what the are going to get into.” The free workshops begin September 11th and then run each of the next three Saturdays from 9:30am-11:30am. Mandler says they have limited space so participants are asked to preregister at CCAC.edu or by calling 412-369-3703 M-F 9a-3p. The workshops will be conducted by Terra Energy Advisors, which bills itself as an “oil and gas investment and management company” that “assists property owners to become educated on the process of fully developing their mineral rights and obtaining the maximum income for leasing their land.” Mandler says the workshops will address a long list of topics including; how shale drilling works, water and environmental issues associated with shale drilling and understanding the contracts involved in gas extraction.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
CCAC Cancels Bids Deadline
The Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) cancelled today’s deadline for bids on the construction of the K. Leroy Irvis Science Center after nonunion contractors raised concerns about the procurement process. The facility would provide health care and science education on the Pittsburgh Northside Campus.
Spokesperson David Hoovler says nonunion contractors were concerned with CCAC asking for 90% union employees in its labor agreement with the contractor. He says they do not feel they’ve done anything illegal or wrong. “It was not the intent to shut out any particular firm from bidding on the project, and we just want to be sure that’s clear.”
Hoovler says many local county projects have been done with very similar agreements, specifically the new stadiums, which were built with project-labor agreements.
Up until today, he says the changes are a result of meeting some requirements that had come through from the inspection and approval of the city, relating to fire code and such. “This [cancellation] will just enable some of those changes just to be incorporated into the main specification.”
Hoovler says CCAC hopes the cancellation will not delay the construction of this $21 million project significantly, which is set to open for the spring of 2012. “There is a great need for it to help provide the state of the art science, technology and health care education that our students really deserve.”
Spokesperson David Hoovler says nonunion contractors were concerned with CCAC asking for 90% union employees in its labor agreement with the contractor. He says they do not feel they’ve done anything illegal or wrong. “It was not the intent to shut out any particular firm from bidding on the project, and we just want to be sure that’s clear.”
Hoovler says many local county projects have been done with very similar agreements, specifically the new stadiums, which were built with project-labor agreements.
Up until today, he says the changes are a result of meeting some requirements that had come through from the inspection and approval of the city, relating to fire code and such. “This [cancellation] will just enable some of those changes just to be incorporated into the main specification.”
Hoovler says CCAC hopes the cancellation will not delay the construction of this $21 million project significantly, which is set to open for the spring of 2012. “There is a great need for it to help provide the state of the art science, technology and health care education that our students really deserve.”
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Displaced Workers Can Get Free Training
If you are over the age of 50, have lost your job and have been in management before, you would qualify for courses at Community College of Allegheny County at Boyce in Monroeville. As part of their dislocated worker tuition waiver program, they are holding a free course in medical office management. It is designed to help workers gain new skills and find new avenues of employment.
The training is being offered through a grant from the Met Life Foundation and Civic Ventures.
Cassandra Hough, a spokesperson for the college said these programs are the direct result of the downturn in the economy. The courses will begin August 17th.
The training is being offered through a grant from the Met Life Foundation and Civic Ventures.
Cassandra Hough, a spokesperson for the college said these programs are the direct result of the downturn in the economy. The courses will begin August 17th.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
CCAC No.2 in Nursing Grads
The publication Community College Week has ranked the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) as the nation’s second largest producer of both nursing and health professions associate’s degrees among two-year institutions. CCAC was ranked second in nursing last year and fourth in other health profession degrees. CCAC spokesperson David Hoovler says the school has been focused on training health care professionals for more than two decades. “As we were involved in the revitalization of Pittsburgh’s economy we did put a lot of focus on the growing health sector,” says Hoovler. The ranking is based on the 2008-2009 school year when CCAC handed out degrees to 405 nursing graduates. Hoovler says that was a 4% increase from 2007–2008. In 2008–2009, the college awarded 593 degrees in the Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences category.
Hoovler says he does not expect the rankings to fall next year. “We still recognize that nursing is one of our strong areas and we certainly intend to keep a strong emphasis on that. We are expecting to break ground on a new science center on our Allegheny campus on the north side this fall and that shows a commitment to these programs,” says Hoovler. Hoovler says he does not think the schools has saturated the market with nurses and health care professionals, “it’s a field where there is a good bit of turn over… so I think we are helping to fill a need there.“ A study launched by the school last year shows there is still strong and growing demand for health care workers with an associated degree. He says more than 92% of CCAC’s career program graduates are working in this region. Overall, CCAC is 58th in the number of associate’s degrees awarded by all institutions in 2008–2009, with 1,661 graduates. That is down from 49th in the previous listing.
Hoovler says he does not expect the rankings to fall next year. “We still recognize that nursing is one of our strong areas and we certainly intend to keep a strong emphasis on that. We are expecting to break ground on a new science center on our Allegheny campus on the north side this fall and that shows a commitment to these programs,” says Hoovler. Hoovler says he does not think the schools has saturated the market with nurses and health care professionals, “it’s a field where there is a good bit of turn over… so I think we are helping to fill a need there.“ A study launched by the school last year shows there is still strong and growing demand for health care workers with an associated degree. He says more than 92% of CCAC’s career program graduates are working in this region. Overall, CCAC is 58th in the number of associate’s degrees awarded by all institutions in 2008–2009, with 1,661 graduates. That is down from 49th in the previous listing.
Friday, June 11, 2010
No Tuition Hike For CCAC Students from Allegheny County
The Board of Trustees of the Community College of Allegheny County has approved a $116 million budget for the 2010-11 fiscal year. The spending plan includes no tuition increase for the second straight year for Allegheny County residents. CCAC President Alex Johnson says in-county tuition will remain at $82.25 per credit.....
“CCAC recognizes that although economic indicators may be improving, the reality is still difficult financial times for many Allegheny County residents. We are able to hold in-county tuition steady thanks to a lean budget and strong support from County Executive Dan Onorato and the members of Allegheny County Council.”
The county committed to a 2% increase in its appropriation for the college. However, state support for community colleges was cut slightly this past year.
While in-county tuition will hold steady, the budget includes an $11 per credit increase in tuition...to $139 per credit....for residents of Pennsylvania counties without a community college.
“CCAC recognizes that although economic indicators may be improving, the reality is still difficult financial times for many Allegheny County residents. We are able to hold in-county tuition steady thanks to a lean budget and strong support from County Executive Dan Onorato and the members of Allegheny County Council.”
The county committed to a 2% increase in its appropriation for the college. However, state support for community colleges was cut slightly this past year.
While in-county tuition will hold steady, the budget includes an $11 per credit increase in tuition...to $139 per credit....for residents of Pennsylvania counties without a community college.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
CCAC Study: We're a Good Investment
The Community College of Allegheny County is releasing numbers that show for nearly every dollar spent on the school system, the county sees a ten dollar return. David Hoovler, Director of Public Relations says their Planning and Institutional Research Department found that the system's expenditures resulted in a $147 million dollar impact through jobs in the county over the past fiscal year. They equated that to $6.89 for every dollar the county spent on the system that year. Coupled with an average of $2.96 from the state and federal governments for each dollar, they came up with $9.85 return on the dollar. Hoovler says CCAC supported more than 6,000 jobs in the county and brought almost $62 million in state and federal funding to Allegheny County in 2008/2009.
Hoovler says they conducted the study to update Pittsburgh and Allegheny County officials on the financial status of the school, and while it is not an appeal for more funding, he says could always use financial help. He cites a jump in enrollment–up 11% this spring–which means an increase in tuition dollars, covering only a third of the cost of educating a student at CCAC.
Hoovler says they conducted the study to update Pittsburgh and Allegheny County officials on the financial status of the school, and while it is not an appeal for more funding, he says could always use financial help. He cites a jump in enrollment–up 11% this spring–which means an increase in tuition dollars, covering only a third of the cost of educating a student at CCAC.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Free Caregiver Classes Offered by CCAC, Pitt
The Community College of Allegheny County is working with the University of Pittsburgh Institute on Aging to offer free training for home caregivers.
The Family Caregiver Training Program is divided into six two-hour workshops that each focus on a specific aspect of caring for an elderly family member.
Institute on Aging Administrative Director Shikha Iyengar says students will experience the advanced effects of aging first-hand.
“We have glasses that simulate either the yellowing of the lens or loss of vision due to certain diseases as one gets older, as glaucoma or cataracts,” says Iyengar.
She says two of the workshops will focus solely on dealing with healthcare providers, while another will address how to take care of oneself while tending to someone else.
Iyengar says the class will be helpful to anyone planning to become a caregiver in the near future.
“The family members or the informal caregivers kind of say, ‘Well, I can deal with it when the time comes.’ But the time comes so quickly, we are just overwhelmed with it,” says Iyengar.
The free workshops begin April 10.
The Family Caregiver Training Program is divided into six two-hour workshops that each focus on a specific aspect of caring for an elderly family member.
Institute on Aging Administrative Director Shikha Iyengar says students will experience the advanced effects of aging first-hand.
“We have glasses that simulate either the yellowing of the lens or loss of vision due to certain diseases as one gets older, as glaucoma or cataracts,” says Iyengar.
She says two of the workshops will focus solely on dealing with healthcare providers, while another will address how to take care of oneself while tending to someone else.
Iyengar says the class will be helpful to anyone planning to become a caregiver in the near future.
“The family members or the informal caregivers kind of say, ‘Well, I can deal with it when the time comes.’ But the time comes so quickly, we are just overwhelmed with it,” says Iyengar.
The free workshops begin April 10.
Friday, March 12, 2010
CCAC Study Urges Workers to Diversify Skills
The Community College of Allegheny County’s Workforce Alliance says the fields of energy, healthcare, and finance will see the greatest growth in the Greater Pittsburgh area in the next few years.
The Workforce Alliance commissioned a Hill Group study that determined that those three fields are becoming increasingly dependent on a “hybrid skill set” of information technology and manufacturing knowledge.
Workforce Alliance Executive Director Charles Blocksidge says employees who want to stay competitive in the fields of healthcare, energy, and finance should consider further training in manufacturing or information technology.
Of the three growing sectors, energy is expected to expand the most quickly in the region, followed by healthcare. Financial services are recovering significantly following the economic downturn experienced in 2009.
The Workforce Alliance commissioned a Hill Group study that determined that those three fields are becoming increasingly dependent on a “hybrid skill set” of information technology and manufacturing knowledge.
Workforce Alliance Executive Director Charles Blocksidge says employees who want to stay competitive in the fields of healthcare, energy, and finance should consider further training in manufacturing or information technology.
Of the three growing sectors, energy is expected to expand the most quickly in the region, followed by healthcare. Financial services are recovering significantly following the economic downturn experienced in 2009.
Monday, December 28, 2009
A Fast Track Program to Jobs
A new CCAC program that will begin in January gives students an opportunity to receive a certificate in six months or less. There are a variety of programs to choose from that are in high demand, according to the state. There's accelerated studies in child care, information technology support, welding, as well as a variety of others. Brenda Trettel, Dean of Academic Affairs at CCAC's South Campus says the program should attract a variety of students, including those who are employed and want a better job and those who are unemployed. She says there will also be programs beginning in May and August.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Deadline Near for CCAC Scholarships for Firefighters
Allegheny County and the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) partnered up in the spring of this year to develop the FireVEST program. The program provides full scholarships to residents of Allegheny County in exchange for an agreement to be a volunteer firefighter for the next five years.
Executive Director of the CCAC Allegheny County Works Alliance, Dr. Charles Blocksidge says the county recognized the need to encourage volunteer firefighters, which led to the creation of FireVEST in January 2009. Since then, 43 people have been awarded scholarships.
The deadline to apply for the scholarship for the spring 2010 term is November 15.
Blocksidge says this is an opportunity not only to help the volunteer fire companies to maintain the quality community service they provide, but it is also a huge educational opportunity that people should take advantage of.
Applications can be downloaded from the CCAC web site or obtained from the Allegheny County Fire Academy at 412-931-3158, ext. 5.
Executive Director of the CCAC Allegheny County Works Alliance, Dr. Charles Blocksidge says the county recognized the need to encourage volunteer firefighters, which led to the creation of FireVEST in January 2009. Since then, 43 people have been awarded scholarships.
The deadline to apply for the scholarship for the spring 2010 term is November 15.
Blocksidge says this is an opportunity not only to help the volunteer fire companies to maintain the quality community service they provide, but it is also a huge educational opportunity that people should take advantage of.
Applications can be downloaded from the CCAC web site or obtained from the Allegheny County Fire Academy at 412-931-3158, ext. 5.
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