Johnson College is proud to announce that its Welding Technology Certificate will now be offered beginning in the spring semester, beginning in January 2020. Since 2012, Johnson College has offered the two semester, 30 credit certificate program. In previous years, the certificate was only offered in the fall semester which led to interested students having to wait to begin their coursework if they did not enroll by the summer.

The Welding Technology certificate course prepares students for entry-level work in the welding industry. Students learn about safety, hand tools, oxyacetylene torches, plasma arc, shielded metal arc welding (stick), gas metal arc welding (MIG), gas tungsten arc welding (TIG), flux cored arc welding, metallurgy, print reading, and weld symbols. This in-demand major at Johnson College starts a full cohort every year, and the College is proud of its placement rate of these students each year. The class of 2018 was 100% employed.

Bill Burke, Associate Vice President of Enrollment Services said, “Allowing students to enroll in our welding program in the spring semester is another way for us to get trained professionals out into the workforce faster.” According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for a trained welder is $41,380 annually and the state of Pennsylvania has the fourth highest employment of welders nationally.

“Industry is constantly reaching out to us for more and more trained welders, so we were able to find a way to fill an employer need and get more students into our classrooms,” said Burke. Top employers of certified Johnson College welders include Hendrick Manufacturing, Pleasant Mount Welding, Scranton Craftsman, Cheetah Chassis, Leeward Construction, Master Halco, and Standard Iron Works.

The spring semester at Johnson College begins on January 21, 2020, and interested students can apply through January 10, 2020. Interested students can apply at www.johnson.edu/apply or email the Enrollment Department at enroll@johnson.edu for more information. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.

Johnson College is pleased to announce it has received a high efficiency combination boiler for the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Technology (HVAC) program from RJ Walker, Co. and Peerless Boilers. The PBC-34 boiler will serve as a training tool in the classroom. 

Walter Wood, HVAC Program Director, said industry partnerships like the one between the College and RJ Walker and Peerless Boilers are important because of the real world experience it brings into the classroom. He said, “With such a demand in the HVAC field, these companies look to Johnson College to fill industry’s needs.” Students will be able to learn how to install and troubleshoot this type of boiler before completing the program. Michael Visbisky, HVAC Instructor, added that, “With such a changing field, it is a fantastic opportunity for our students to work on a new model of boiler. This is definitely a great new addition to our classroom lab experience and something my students and I are excited about installing and working on.” 

Johnson College held its 27th Annual Johnson College Open on May 9, 2019 at Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club in Mountain Top, PA.  Thanks to the generosity of local sponsors and participation by students and alumni, the College exceeded its fundraising goal by raising a total net revenue of over $40,000 for the Presidential Scholarship Fund, which this year was awarded to three students. The recipients are John DeLucca, Electrical Construction & Maintenance, Pittston; Evan Kleinart, Computer Information Technology, Greeley; Bethany Severn, Veterinary Technology, Sunbury; Preston West, Diesel Truck Technology, Monroe Township. 

Johnson College is pleased to announce it has received a $4,500 grant from the PPL Foundation. These funds will support the Solar USB Charger Workshop program.  Johnson College faculty and staff will learn how to create a solar USB charger.  Participants will then recreate the workshop for Lackawanna County middle and high school students, so that they can share the lesson with their students.  The solar power USB charger will also be incorporated into Johnson College’s STEM outreach work with middle and high school students.

The PPL Foundation awards annual grants through a competitive application and review process.

About the PPL Foundation:

Through strategic partnerships, the PPL Foundation will support organizations that are working to create vibrant, sustainable communities and empowering each citizen to fulfill her or his potential. The PPL Foundation contributes more than $3 million annually to a wide variety of nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit www.pplcares.com.

Today’s job market relies on people with strong trade skills. The career path can vary, but a strong technical background can set young people on unexpected paths. That is the case with Matthew Kaczorowski, ’17. “To be able to enter the construction workforce a step ahead,” is what his goal was in choosing Johnson College’s Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology program. Kaczorowski became interested in carpentry in high school and was able to take classes though Monroe Career & Technical Institute. These classes helped him decide on what he wanted his future to look like. He decided to continue his education at Johnson College.

During his time at Johnson College, he enjoyed the hands-on learning and the small class size. “I was able to participate in each project and was able to receive as much attention and guidance as I needed,” Kaczorowski said. The attention he received from his instructors was vital in developing the skills that he uses at his current job at Martin Guitar. “During my interview, I was told that I looked very natural and comfortable using the tools. This is definitely due to the hands-on experience I gained from Johnson College,” Koczorowski said.

Martin Guitar is one of the leading acoustic guitar manufacturers. Headquartered in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, they have been making high-quality products since they opened their doors in 1833. Musical legends such as Elvis Presley, Paul McCartney, and Eric Clapton have all recorded and performed with these acoustic instruments. Martin has influenced the acoustic guitar industry with innovative developments such as X-bracing, the 14-fret guitar, and the “Dreadnought” size guitar. Each instrument is hand-crafted for musicians of all experience levels to enjoy.

As part of the body rim assembly production team, Koczorowski aids in creating the reputable instruments that Martin Guitar is known for. The body of an acoustic guitar is where the sound is produced so his work must be precise. Koczorowski enjoys his work environment, he said, “The environment is very friendly, but focused on the high quality of the product.” Walking through the factory, visitors can see that each of the employees is equally invested in the company’s mission “to be an organization of dedicated co-workers committed to exceptional leadership and innovation in the fretted instrument and string manufacturing industries, while celebrating our heritage and traditions as a family-owned company.” When asked what advice he would give to someone who was thinking about Johnson College, he said “Johnson College will definitely prepare you for the career you are interested in. You’re making a good choice.”

Johnson College has formed a new relationship with a West Pittston business, Don’s Machine Shop, to bring CNC machining training to Luzerne County. At an Open House at Don’s Machine Shop on Saturday, September, 21^st, the public is invited to tour a newly renovated teaching space which will house the new program. Curriculum will train students to utilize, maintain and program Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines which perform subtractive manufacturing methods to materials such as metal. CNC professionals manufacture precision products and components used in a variety of applications such as automotive, medical, electronics, aerospace, transportation, military, and more. The Open House will provide visitors with the opportunity to speak with instructors and meet current CNC machinists to learn about the occupation and job outlook in our region. 

The job training to be offered in conjunction with Don’s Machine Shop is a unique, one-of-a-kind training, open to anyone who is looking for a new career option, and it is delivered on some of the best machining equipment in the region.  Learning a trade with curriculum input from a functioning machine shop like Don’s Machine will help open up opportunities right away.  The relationship between Johnson College and Don’s Machine Shop is another way the College can immediately connect students to industry.  With the growing need for technicians in our region, this opportunity gets skilled technicians prepared adequately and quickly to the employer.  

The first session of CNC classes at 100 Elm Street in West Pittston will begin on Monday, November 4th.  Space is limited.

More about the 510 Hour CNC class:

• Training includes both theory and hands-on learning experiences for beginner-level students.
• The cost of the class is $6,250. Financial assistance may be available for those who qualify. 
• Successful completion of the 510 hour CNC program allows students to have preferred interview status with Don’s Machine Shop.

More about Don’s Machine Shop: http://www.donsmachine.com/

Sign up for the 510 Hour CNC Session Beginning Monday, November 4th. Space is limited.

Click here to sign up

---

Questions? Please contact the Johnson College Continuing Education Department at 570-702-8979 or continuinged@johnson.edu.

On October 5^th, Educational Opportunity Centers, Inc. (EOC) and Johnson College will host FUTURES: A Lackawanna County Career Exploration & Discovery Conference for High School Students. 

The purpose of the event is to provide a comprehensive career exploration and discovery opportunity for high school students.  Participants will learn about career opportunities and challenges, earning potential, educational requirements, desired skills and training, and more.  The event will connect students and career professionals. There will be a Q&A period and networking will be a part of every session. Participants will learn about student financial aid, college career services, college student support services, and more.

The event is completely free with lunch provided. Parents are more than welcome to accompany their student but students can also attend on their own.

Presenting Organizations Include:

Students can register at https://eocinc.org/futures-conference-2019

A list of sessions and speakers can be found at https://eocinc.org/futures-conference-2019

Peoples Security Bank & Trust, through their EITC administrator, Commonwealth Charitable Management, has allocated $12,000 to support dual enrollment scholarships at Johnson College. Two students at Abington Heights School District will be fully funded for the Industry Fast Track program, which allows students to graduate from high school with half of their Johnson College Associate degree completed. Tunkhannock students will benefit from the dual enrollment credits as well.

The Industry Fast Track Program gives high school students the opportunity to spend a portion of their school day at Johnson College to complete coursework. An Industry Fast Track Advisor will supervise students and monitor academic progress. Benefits to the student include a jumpstart on earning college credits, seamless assimilation into higher education, and financial savings toward a college degree.

“The bank is a strong supporter of the Educational Improvement Tax Credit and the dual enrollment program. During the latest school year the bank awarded 135 Scholarships totaling $125,000,” said Patrick Dietz, Johnson College Board Member and Senior Vice President and Commercial Lending Officer at Peoples Security Bank & Trust.

President & CEO of Johnson College, Dr. Katie Leonard, has been invited to the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania to appear on Career Talk. The interview will take place Thursday, July 11, 2019 at 12 p.m.

Career Talk is a call-in career advice program hosted by Dr. Dawn Graham. Dr. Graham is a Director for The Wharton School’s Executive MBA Program, Instructor in the Wharton Management Department, and author of Switchers: How Smart Professionals Change Careers and Seize Success.

Career Talk is a great way for students, faculty, staff, and the community to ask questions regarding salaries, succeeding in an interview, writing the perfect resume, and more. President Leonard plans to touch on topics such as: the value of technical education, the need for a skilled workforce, benefits to STEM preparation, educating the veteran population, transferring in and out of Johnson College, the student profile, and much more.

To listen in, please visit Soundcloud, PlayerFM or iTunes.

To call in to the show with questions or comments, please call 1-844-WHARTON.

Johnson College is proud to announce the establishment of the Bartolai Family Scholarship Fund. Funded by Ray Bartolai, ’83, the scholarship will provide $500 to one Johnson College student in the Automotive Technology or Biomedical Equipment Technology program.

Bartolai is an Automotive Technology graduate and his brother, Vincent, ’80, is a Biomedical Technology graduate. Bartolai feels that Johnson College played a large part in establishing a career path for him and his brother. He wanted to establish the scholarship to support an Automotive Technology or Biomedical Equipment Technology student to pay it forward in hopes of helping others achieve success as he and Vincent have.

The recipient of this year’s Bartolai Family Scholarship is Charlie Cortez, ’20, from Madison Township. Cortez is the first recipient of this scholarship.