Johnson College Announces Satellite Campus in the Greater Hazleton Area

In an effort to transform education, the economy, and the quality of the workforce throughout the Greater Hazleton region, Johnson College has partnered with Greater Hazleton CAN DO to address the demands of industry in the area. Together, they are spearheading plans to introduce the College’s first-ever satellite campus, Johnson College at the CAN DO Training Center, located in the Humboldt Industrial Park in Hazleton.

During a press conference on February 1st, 2023 at the 30,000-sq.ft. industrial facility, which once housed the McCann School of Business and Technology, executives and board members from Johnson College and CAN DO, Inc announced exciting details about the new campus. Dr. Katie Leonard, President and CEO of Johnson College, led the presentation and was followed by key members of the partnership including Joseph Lettiere, President and CEO of CAN DO; Charles Burkhardt, Chair of the CAN DO Board of Directors; and Pat Dietz, Chairperson of Johnson College Board of Directors.

“We have heard from area employers and the programs that will be offered here are built to meet their needs,” Dr. Leonard said. “We look forward to hearing from the Greater Hazleton community in terms of how this building can once again become an asset that we all share. We are here to help meet the needs of our friends and neighbors in this great community.”

The goal of this new campus will be to create unique and affordable academic experiences for students in partnership with industry to prepare them for careers in the Hazleton region and beyond. The College is built on its reputation for providing hands-on learning in a supportive environment and members of its community are thrilled to share this experience in a new area.

CAN DO President & CEO Joseph Lettiere said, “For many years, CAN DO has worked to bring a technical school to Greater Hazleton to assist in improving the area’s access to career-ready job training.  It is our mission to improve the quality of life in Greater Hazleton through the creation and retention of a full range of employment opportunities and I strongly believe that the programs Johnson College plans to offer truly move the needle for our community. I’d like to thank Dr. Katie Leonard, the Johnson College Board of Directors, as well as the CAN DO Board of Directors for their willingness to take the risk in making this investment with us.” 

Johnson College at the CAN DO Training Center, pending approval by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, will offer an array of certificate and degree programs beginning in late August 2023. These will include academic certificates in Welding Technology, Industrial Technology, and Building & Property Maintenance and an associate degree in Electrical Construction Technology. It will also offer continuing education certificates in areas including Medical Assistant, Computer User Support & Security Specialist, and Class A CDL Driver Training. Students will be able to complete all programs and certificates at the Hazleton campus.

For more information about these programs, visit johnson.edu/Hazleton.

To learn more about the Greater Hazleton CAN DO, visit hazletoncando.com.

Johnson College Automotive Technology Program Receives Reaccreditation from ASE Education Foundation

The Automotive Technology program at Johnson College received reaccreditation by the ASE Education Foundation, formerly known as NATEF, and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). The program has been reaccredited in the following areas: Engine Repair; Automatic Transmission/Transaxle; Manual Transmission and Drive Axles; Suspension and Steering; Brakes; Electrical/Electronic Systems; Heating and Air Conditioning; Engine Performance.

In order to achieve this renewed recognition, the College’s Automotive Technology program underwent rigorous evaluation by the ASE Education Foundation using nationally accepted standards of excellence in areas such as instruction, facilities, and equipment. Through the endeavors of both our program instructors and the ASE Education Foundation, Johnson College can more successfully bridge the gap between the needs of industry and classroom training to assure that students enter the workforce as well-prepared technicians.

Johnson College’s Automotive Technology program is an Associate of Applied Science degree program that prepares students as entry-level technicians in the automobile and diesel industries. Upon completion, graduates can expect to work for employers in career fields such as automotive, truck, farm and earthmoving equipment dealerships; truck, power generation and construction companies; automotive service centers; engine repair/machine shops; automotive equipment distributors; independent service garages; automotive parts manufacturers; sales representation; as well as auto insurance companies. They may also work with brake systems, transmissions, alignments and repairs; be representatives in claims, sales, and service; or become truck/fleet maintenance technicians.

To learn more about this program, visit: johnson.edu/divisions-of-study/transportation/automotive-technology.

Pictured left to right: Jim Williams ’00, Automotive Technology Instructor; Dr. Katie Leonard, President & CEO; Mark Kozemko ’79, Automotive Technology Program Director.

Johnson College Continuing Education Announces Late Summer and Fall Courses

Johnson College’s Continuing Education Program recently announced its late summer and fall course offerings. The courses are for adults who want the opportunity to improve their skills, which will also help them stay ahead of the competition, learn new technologies, and advance in their current careers.

The courses and start dates include:

Pennsylvania Emissions Inspector Training and Testing on August 10 and August 24, 2022.

Pennsylvania State Vehicle Safety Inspection on August 9, 2022.

Fundamentals of Welding on August 9, 2022.

Fundamentals of Welding and Intermediate Gas Metal Arc Welding GMAW on August 9, 2022.

Medical Assistant Program on August 30, 2022.

Forklift Operator Training on September 24, 2022.

Basic Maintenance on November 1, 2022.

For more details on each course and how to register, visit johnson.edu/continuingeducation or contact the Continuing Education team at 570-702-8979 or continuinged@johnson.edu.

Now Enrolling Students in Forklift Operator Training Course

Johnson College’s Continuing Education program is offering a Forklift Operator Training Course on Saturday, July 23, 2022, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Diesel Truck Technology Center on the College’s campus in Scranton. The cost of the course is $200, but if you are a current Johnson College student or alum the cost is only $100. Space is limited! Visit johnson.edu/continuingeducation or contact our Continuing Education team at 570-702-8979 or continuinged@johnson.edu to learn more and enroll.

The forklift operator training is designed to familiarize students with OSHA Powered Industrial Truck Operator Training Requirements (29CFR Standard 1910.178 and ASME B56.1), provide current training requirements under the newly adopted standards, and assist participants in becoming an authorized operator of forklifts through theory and tactile testing. Nine hours of instruction including pre-operational inspection, picking up, traveling, and placing loads, parking procedures, refueling, and practical operation.

Continuing Education Team Enrolling Students in Two Different Welding Classes

Johnson College’s Continuing Education Program is currently enrolling students in a Fundamentals of Welding and Intermediate MIG Welding class starting June 21, 2022, and Fundamentals of Welding and Intermediate Stick Welding beginning June 30, 2022. Both classes will be held on the Johnson College campus in Scranton. To learn more or enroll, visit https://johnson.edu/continuingeducation/ or contact the Johnson College Continuing Education department at 570-702-8979 or email continuinged@johnson.edu. 

Both classes will teach the basics of the major welding processes and then focus on either Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG) or Shielded Metal Arc Welding (Stick).

The Fundamentals of Welding and Intermediate MIG Welding class provides specific instruction in the Gas Metal Arc (GMAW) and Flux-Cored Arc (FCAW) welding processes. Students will learn how to perform fillet and groove welds in all positions. Student practice is geared toward sheet metal and structural steel welding code vertical and overhead tests. Passing the certification test provides an all-position, limited thickness, AWS D1.1 welder certification in FCAW, and vertical D1.3 structural sheet metal code certification in GMAW.

The Fundamentals of Welding and Intermediate Stick Welding class will provide specific instruction in the Shielded Metal Arc (SMAW) welding process. Students learn how to perform fillet and groove welds on carbon steel using E6010 and E7018 electrodes in all positions. Student practice is geared toward structural welding code vertical and overhead tests. Passing these tests provides an all position, limited thickness, and AWS D1.1 welder certification.

Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County Students Receive Forklift Operator Certifications from Johnson College

On Sunday, April 10, 2022, Dr. Katie Leonard, President & CEO of Johnson College, congratulated students from The Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County for receiving certification for completing Johnson College Continuing Education’s Forklift Operator Training Course. 

The forklift operator training is designed to familiarize students with OSHA Powered Industrial Truck Operator Training Requirements (29CFR Standard 1910.178 and ASME B56.1), provide current training requirements under the newly adopted standards, and assist participants in becoming an authorized operators of forklifts through theory and tactile testing. Instructional topics include pre-operational inspection, picking up, traveling, placing loads, parking procedures, and practical operation.

Pictured left to right: Matthew Tucker, Dylan McGoff, Anthony Marconi, Serenity Fuller, Dr. Katie Leonard, President & CEO of Johnson College, Nicholas Lathrop, Joshua Aguero, Jordan Campbell, and Luciano Dinguis.

Now Enrolling Students in OBDII Emissions Training Course

Johnson College’s Continuing Education department is enrolling students into its next OBDII Emissions Training. The class will be held on the Johnson College campus in Scranton on Monday, April 4, Tuesday, April 5, and Thursday, April 7, 2022, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The class fee to be paid to Johnson College is $180, and a study material and testing fee of $39.99 is paid directly to the PA Training Portal. For more details, visit Johnson.edu/continuingeducation, call 570-702-8979, or email continuinged@johnson.edu.

The OBDII testing monitors a vehicle’s emission control systems in real-time and can inform a licensed technician of a systemic issue the moment it occurs. The system operates through a series of indicator lights, drive cycles, trouble codes, and readiness monitors. During an inspection, an emission analyzer scan tool plugs into the diagnostic connector attached to the OBDII computer and communicates with the vehicle. The OBDII system relays whether it has discovered errors in the emission control systems to the scan tool. The emission analyzer then determines if the car is being operated according to emission standards.

Fundamentals of Welding Course – Now Enrolling Students

Johnson College’s Continuing Education Program is currently enrolling students in its next Fundamentals of Welding course, scheduled to run from Monday, February 28, 2022, to Friday, April 22, 2022, in Weaver Hall on its campus in Scranton. Space is very limited. To learn more or enroll, visit https://johnson.edu/continuingeducation/ or contact the Johnson College Continuing Education department at 570-702-8979 or email continuinged@johnson.edu. 

Students will learn the basics of the major welding processes. After fundamentals, students can enroll in an intermediate class in either Shielded Metal Arc Welding (Stick), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG), or Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG). Each of these classes works toward plate certification to a common welding code. 

Now Enrolling Students in Forklift Operator Training Course

Johnson College’s Continuing Education program is offering a Forklift Operator Training Course on Saturday, March 12, 2022, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.in the Diesel Truck Technology Center on the College’s campus in Scranton. The course cost is $200, but if you are a current Johnson College student or alumni, the price is only $100. Space is limited! Visit johnson.edu/continuingeducation or contact our Continuing Education team at 570-702-8979 or continuinged@johnson.edu to learn more and enroll.

The forklift operator training is designed to familiarize students with OSHA Powered Industrial Truck Operator Training Requirements (29CFR Standard 1910.178 and ASME B56.1), provide current training requirements under the newly adopted standards, and assist participants in becoming an authorized operator of forklifts through theory and tactile testing. Nine hours of instruction, including pre-operational inspection, picking up, traveling, and placing loads, parking procedures, refueling, and practical operation.